Children’s experiences of family violence can include:
- various forms of abuse
- neglect
- being exposed to violence against a caregiver or other family member.
Experience of violence as a child, like other harmful childhood experiences, can have profound and lifelong negative impacts on a person’s health and wellbeing, including trauma, developmental issues and violence-induced disability.
People who were victims of childhood abuse, including family violence, are two to three times more likely to go on to experience intimate partner violence as an adult. This is true of both women and men, however women who experienced violence as children are more likely than men to experience this violence in adulthood.
Some studies have also shown that when boys experience family violence as children, they may be at greater risk of using violence themselves as adults.
The cycle of violence can happen because people might replicate the abuse or relationships they saw or experienced growing up. They might:
- think it is normal behaviour in relationships, because it’s what they saw at home
- feel that control, abuse and violence is what they deserve, because of the impact early trauma has on feelings of self-worth
- have difficulty regulating emotions because of untreated trauma, which can lead to outbursts, and excusing violent behaviour.
How can we support children and people who have experienced violence as children?
Being able to break the cycle is a powerful step in driving down rates of family violence.
Children who experience violence, and adults who experienced violence as children can benefit from:
- supportive relationships with family and caregivers
- support and positive influence from communities and schools
- action to improve self-esteem, mental wellbeing and emotional regulation.
Long-term, holistic trauma recovery and response services for young people are also essential to breaking the cycle of violence. These initiatives should model respect and equality, without harmful gendered norms and stereotypes.