Through Their Eyes: Domestic Violence and It's Impact on Children

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<strong>Through</strong> <strong>Their</strong> <strong>Eyes</strong> • Undermine the mother’s authority in the family <strong>and</strong> cause the children to lose respect for her • Retaliate if she attempts to protect the children • Cause depression in the mother, which in turn prevents her from meeting the emotional needs of her children • Frighten the children • Isolate the mother <strong>and</strong> the children from friends <strong>and</strong> other relatives 13 Many of the emotional <strong>and</strong> behavioral realities of children living in violent situations are visible in their artwork. Drawing can be an effective tool for children who have witnessed domestic violence because it allows them to validate what they have seen. It also allows treatment providers to see the child’s interpretation of the situation. An incident of domestic violence can look very different to a child than it does to their parent, the police or other adults. The drawings throughout this book were created by participants in the YWCA’s Children’s <strong>Domestic</strong> <strong>Violence</strong> Program, which we will examine in detail in Chapter 3. Art can show us how children remember incidents: often, one clear detail or image st<strong>and</strong>s out amidst the chaos. In essence, these details have been etched into the child’s mind <strong>and</strong> st<strong>and</strong> out nearly as sharply as the incident itself. 13
Chapter 3 | <strong>Through</strong> <strong>Their</strong> <strong>Eyes</strong> Many of us feel confused <strong>and</strong> helpless when we think about dealing with a child who has witnessed abuse. But there are some very simple things you can tell children that can help them feel more comfortable. • The violence is not your fault. • You are not alone— other families have this problem too. 14
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Page 31 and 32: Chapter 5 Suggested Reading <strong
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Page 35 and 36: Advocacy Wheel EMPOWERMENT PROMOTE
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Through Their Eyes: Domestic Violence and It's Impact on Children

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