One of the saddest memories I have is of a little girl whose parents' fight had continued into the front yard. A growing number of studies concerning children who witness parental violence indicate the child is at considerable risk for developing a range of problems. Commonly report psychosomatic complaints include headaches, abdominal pains, stuttering, enuresis and sleep disturbances. The most frequently reported psychological disturbances include depression, anxiety, suicidal tendencies, phobias, withdrawal, lowered self-esteem, and overt psychosis. Adolescent boys exposed to domestic violence may use aggression as a predominant form of problem solving, may project blame onto others, and may exhibit a high degree of anxiety.
Girls are more likely to display withdrawal, passivity, clinging, and dependent behavior.
The children described above grow up to perpetuate the cycle of partner abuse unless something happens that stops the cycle. Although we may sometimes have difficulty understanding why these relationships continue, it is important to remember that the children involved may someday be friends or even partners of our own children. Any intervention that interrupts the cycle may save generations from the impact of partner abuse.