Child witnesses are at risk of getting hurt when they are trying to stop the violence or are accidentally caught in the midst of it. Abuse by or of a caretaker affects children's core beliefs about themselves, those in authority, relationships with others, and assumptions about the world . Children older than five or six tend to identify with the aggressor and lose respect for the victim. They learn to equate anger with violence and believe that violence is justified. There is evidence that child witnesses of domestic violence carry violent and violent-tolerant roles into their own intimate relationships.
Domination is viewed as the appropriate role for men and subordination the role for women.
Prevention and Intervention Provide a highly structured and predictable environment for children. Routines help children know what to expect. Give children permission to tell their stories. It helps children to be able to talk about their feelings with adults they trust. Teach alternatives to violence.