Haven of Mercy

The Effects of Domestic Abuse on Children When we consider domestic abuse, we usually think about the harm done to the victim herself.  Sadly, there is admittedly much harm done to the wife and mother who is battered, berated, and belittled. She experiences many short-term and long-term effects of the abuse, and this article is not meant to minimize those effects.  Today, we consider the effects of domestic abuse on the children in the home.  Even when the children are not being directly abused, they are still being affected.  Scientific studies and research corroborate many of the examples and effects listed here, but this is not meant to be a scientific article.  Rather, everything listed here is either something I have seen with my own eyes, or is a concern that was shared with me by the abuse victim (the mother).  All examples are shared with permission.  Some of the examples given are common trauma responses (and in this case, the trauma is from w...

“1 in 5 children will be abused before their 18th birthday. In the United States this would be the entire Pacific and Mountain time zones’ population combined. Most children know their abusers- 34% are family members, 59% are acquaintances, and only 7% of perpetrators are strangers. Too many parents have a false sense of security and minimize the possible threats in front of them.” Here’s an insightful video from Justin and Lindsey Holcomb, authors of Rid of My Disgrace and God Made All of Me, on helping parents and caregivers learn steps they can take to keep their children safe.  

  It's Children's Month at HAVEN of Mercy! We hope to provide helpful resources for child abuse, ways to talk to your children about abuse, prevention and advocacy education. "There are many voices competing to tell our children what they are worth, and most of them would teach to define their value outside of themselves. By what they can do or what they wear or how they look or who their friends are. To live dependent on what others say about them and diminished by trauma they endure or mistakes they make. I believe one of the most important things we can do is stand against these voices that scream harmful messages into the ears of our little ones and instead whisper the truth to them over and over and over again." -Rachael Denhollander What Is A Little Girl Worth and What Is A Little Boy Worth are excellent children's books! How much, how much are you worth, precious child? How much is a little child worth? Your worth cannot fade; it will not go away; It is ...