Domestic Violence – Children Face The
Brunt
UNICEF’s
report on the ‘Stop Violence At Home‘ Campaign defines Domestic violence or
intimate partner violence as a pattern of assaultive and coercive behaviors
including physical, sexual and psychological attacks, as well as economic
coercion used by adults or adolescents against their current or former intimate
partners. Examples of physical abuse include slapping, shaking, beating with
fist or object, strangulation, burning, kicking and threats with a knife.
Sexual abuse includes coerced sex through threats or intimidation or through
physical force, forcing unwanted sexual acts, forcing sex in front of others
and forcing sex with others. Psychological abuse involves isolation from
others, excessive jealousy, control of his or her activities, verbal
aggression, intimidation through destruction of property, harassment or
stalking, threats of violence and constant belittling and humiliation.
Don’t Punish The Innocent…
In the first week
of February, CHILDLINE Trivandrum received information on a girl named Vandana (Given
Name), 16 years being physically abused by her father. The father has been a
chronic alcoholic and is allegedly having an affair with another woman for the
past five years. There are regular disputes between the father and mother about
this affair. During one such argument about the affair, the father began
physically assaulting the mother; and the girl intervened to save her to
accidently get hit on her right eye. Our team contacted the father and asked
him to come down to our office. He denied our request threatened the victims to
settle the matter in court. At present the family has been given immediate
protection from the abuser and the legal proceedings have been undertaken.
Violence Can Take A
Toll On The Child’s Character
Children
who live with and are aware of violence in the home face many challenges and
risks that can last throughout their lives. Children who grow up with violence
in the home learn early and powerful lessons about the use of violence in
interpersonal relationships to dominate others, and might even be encouraged in
doing so. Not all children fall into the trap of becoming victims or abusers.
Many adults who grew up with violence in the home are actively opposed to
violence of all kinds. There is reason to believe that children know that
domestic violence is wrong and actively want it to stop. Many children who are
present during acts of domestic violence try to help.
Responsibility of
stakeholders
It
is our responsibility as adults to ensure that the children who are exposed to
violence in the home need to know that things can change and that violence in
the home can end. Children need hope for the future. Public education and
awareness-raising campaigns on domestic violence should focus more on the
impact on children and specific ways to address this problem. Governments and
other public institutions should speak out about the impact of violence in the
home on children. Violence has no place in a child’s life. With a clear vision
and concrete action, we can and must give children a brighter and more peaceful
future.
