They may develop symptoms of Post- Traumatic Stress Disorder and set fires, show cruelty to animals, or relive the experienced violence in other ways. Statistics indicate that male victims of child abuse are forty per cent more likely to become delinquent or criminal, three times more likely to use drugs or alcohol. Seventy-eight per cent of prisoners and ninety per cent of domestic batterers were abused as children. However, many children growing up in homes with abuse and domestic violence do not suffer from PTSD and, although exposure to violence puts a child at serious risk, eighty per cent of the boys do not become adult abusers. The child s response to the violence is dependent on many factors including the intrinsic strengths of the individual, the degree and frequency of exposure to the violence, the presence of other stable, supportive people in the child s life, and community supports.
Some children exhibit more resiliency in their personality.
It is very important that the child s fears, needs, and questions are heard and responded to by a competent adult. This can help him to feel some control of the situation and allay feelings of guilt. A strong, supportive extended family that can step in and assist the mother can be most helpful to children exposed to domestic violence. Grandparents, aunts or uncles can provide family cohesion, warmth, physical protection, financial assistance, and stability. Others in the community as teachers, church members, daycare providers, big sister and brother programs can also intervene in the child s life.