Family violence often exists along with alcohol or drug abuse. Usually the victims of violence are women. However, sometimes both the man and woman are both abusers and victims. In any case, family violence can have serious long-term effects on children who live in the home. Witnessing violence between trusted adults has a greater effect on a child's development than television and movies ever could.
Children often see the violence.
Even if they do not see it, they may well hear it. And even if they can't hear it, they will always feel the effects of violence in their home. They may hear about the violence from adults talking about it. They may see how the violence affects their parents. They may be abused themselves either by being caught in the crossfire or later as victims of violence themselves.