They run to their rooms and hide. They learn to live in fear. Sometimes, their mother and father beat them. Sometimes, when her father is drunk, he sexually molests Susie. If their mother stays in the relationship, and does nothing to protect herself or her children, they learn not to depend on or trust anyone.
Domestic violence incorporates several types of abuse.
By witnessing the abuse of a loved one, you are subjected to physical, emotional and spiritual trauma. To a physically or sexually abused child, touch and feeling are painful. You are on your guard, trying to avoid the abuse and the abusers. To be held or cuddled is too dangerous. To trust is to let your guard down, become vulnerable to more abuse, so you build walls to protect yourself.