It often starts during pregnancy or after childbirth. Domestic violence has been involved in around half the separations that happen each year. In families where there is domestic violence, children witness about two thirds of the abusive incidents. About half the children in such families have themselves been badly hit or beaten. Sexual and emotional abuse are also more likely to happen in these families.
Children are very upset when they see one of their parents abusing or attacking the other.
They often show signs of great distress. Younger children may become anxious, complain of tummy-aches or start to wet their bed. They may find it difficult to sleep, have temper tantrums and start to behave as if they were much younger than they are. Older children react differently. Boys seem to express their distress much more outwardly.