DV

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.