18/04/2024
*The shadowed innocence:understanding the impact of domestic violence on children*
Domestic violence is a pattern of abusive behavior within a relationship where a person seeks to gain or maintain power over another.It has been one of the major topic of discussion in kenyan communities and kenya itself.It casts a long shadow over many households,with children often becoming the silent victims.Domestic violence typically conjures images of physical altercations between adults,but it's reach extends far beyond,deeply affecting the emotional and psychological well-being of children who witness or are subjected to it.
Children have got unseen wounds in the inside which are caused by domestic violence.When they are exposed to it,they undergo a traumatic experience that can lead to a spectrum of emotiona and behavioral issues.The constant state of tension and unpredictability within their home environment can result in chronic anxiety,depression and a sense of helplessness.Young minds in their formative years,are impressionable,witnessing acts of violence can distort their understanding of relationships and breed aggression of fear.
The impact of domestic violence on children is not limited to emotional scars it can also hinder their cognitive and social development.Studies have shown that children from violent homes often struggle with concentration,leading to poor academic performance.Socially they may exhibit withdrawal symptoms finding it challenging to form healthy relationships with peers due to trust issues or aggressive behavior learned from their domestic environment.
One of the most concerning aspects of domestic violence is its cyclical nature.children who grow up in such environment may normalize the violence and carry this pattern into their adult relationship perpetuating the cycle .Boys,in perticular who witness their father's violence,are at a higher risk of becoming abusers themselves,while girls are more likely to become victims of domestic abuse. i
