They may complain of physical symptoms as headache, stomachache, or chronic fatigue and have frequent visits to health care providers. Often they exhibit anxiety, depression, sleep disturbances, appetite changes, aggressive, acting-out behavior, school phobias and adjustment problems, and developmental problems. These children learn to see the world as a dangerous and unpredictable place where violence is expected. There is no security in their world if one parent is a victim and the other an offender. Also, if others in their world see violence as permitted behavior, they learn violence as a form of conflict resolution as a result of their childhood experiences.
Children respond to exposure to violence in various ways.
Some studies indicate that girls will more often internalize their responses to violence or identify with the victim and become anxious, depressed or clinging, or have a need to be perfect. They are at risk for suicide attempts, promiscuous sexual behavior as teens, drug and alcohol use. As adults, they may have more trouble protecting themselves and their own children from danger. Boys run the risk of identifying with the perpetrator in an effort to maintain some control over their lives. As children, they may have temper tantrums, decreased attention span, become a bully and exhibit coercive behavior.