Physical and emotional effects

The impact of domestic abuse often has a long-lasting impact on a child's well-being and feeling of safety.

Each child’s experiences will be unique to them but often they may:

Feel anxious, depressed, sad, afraid, confused, alone, overly-emotional
Feel guilty that they can't stop the abuse from happening, or feel like it's their fault
Have difficulty sleeping or have nightmares
Play truant, use alcohol or drugs, or self-harm
Experience physical symptoms such as stomach aches or bed wetting
Be unable to control their emotions - becoming distressed, upset or aggressive
Become withdrawn and isolated
Have low self-esteem and confidence
Develop symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), having nightmares, flashbacks, becoming jumpy, having headaches and physical pains
Have trouble concentrating at school
Have ambivalent feelings towards both the abuser and the non-abusing parent
Overachieve as they put all their effort into not causing a problem or as a means of escape

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