Julie's Story
Consequences
for Children
C
hildren living in families where
domestic violence occurs may be
direct witnesses to abuse, suffer
harm incidental to the violence, have
their lives disrupted by moving or being
separated from parents and used by the
batterer to manipulate or gain control over
the victim. Research has also shown that
there is a strong correlation or overlap
between child abuse and domestic abuse,
with as many as 50% of domestic violence
incidents also involving child maltreatment.
Children growing up in violent homes
often feel they are responsible for the
abuse and may feel guilty because they
think they caused it or because they are
unable to stop it. They live with constant
anxiety that another beating will occur or
that they will be abandoned. They tend to
regress, act out of control, react
with violent behavior, become
isolated and mistrust adults. They
can also suffer physical symptoms
such as headaches, stomach aches,
nervousness and short attention spans.
As adolescents they are often
in jeopardy of academic failure
and substance abuse. As adults,
they may continue to suffer
from depression, anxiety and
trauma�related symptoms, such as
post�traumatic stress disorder.
Children exposed to domestic
violence require a safe and nurturing
environment and space to progress
at their own pace. Counselors, friends
and family members need to provide
reassurance, a sense of security and
comfort for these children to once again
feel safe and optimistic.
J
ulie* came to the Army's Carr P. Collins Social Service Center
in Dallas, TX with her four children, ages 9, 7, 2, and 11
months, after fleeing from another state.
Julie had tried to
leave her abuser six times before, but he had always found
her. This time he had punched her in the face and pulled her hair out.
Julie and family needed clothes, diapers, food and a stroller for
her 11�month�old. Since she fled quickly
she left behind birth certificates, shot re-
cords and basic identification. She had no
access to benefits from her home state.
Her abuser had also abused her two older
children, requiring Child Protective Ser-
vices involvement.
During her 57 days at the Army's
shelter she received hygiene items, clothes
from the warehouse, a voucher to the
thrift store, baby food and formula, diapers,
a stroller and other basic needs. She at-
tended support groups and life skills
classes weekly. Therapy sessions for her
children helped them address the trauma
they had experienced. Shelter staff
members helped her recover some of
her documents and replace those still missing.
She was able to sign up for a state benefits pack-
age and enroll her children in schools and a free
childcare program.
Through case management and counseling
sessions through the center, Julie began the
healing process. As her stay came to a close,
Julie showed tremendous progress. She gained
confidence and learned how to advocate for her-
self and her children. Her transition from the
shelter was difficult, but Julie knew that mov-
ing on meant moving to a more self-sufficient
life. Supported by the shelter, Julie was able
to get there.
*name changed
Blake Fetterman, LMFT, Director of Operations
Carr P. Collins Social Service Center
hildren living in families where
6 MILLION
CHILDREN
witness violence
in their home
each year.
r
w
is
c
s
n
in
a
t
f
t
p
v
e
a
and fam
-
e
1 IN 5 FEMALE
high school students
reports being physically
and/or sexually abused
by a dating partner
y
h
sh
co
ac
H
ch
vi
sh
fr
th
a
te
cl
ch
th
m
her documents and replace
1 IN 3 WOMEN
have experienced
RAPE, PHYSICAL
VIOLENCE
and/or
STALKING
by an intimate partner
17
The War Cry | SEPTEMBER 2014