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The Effects of Domestic Violence on Children

Victoria Clowers
The University of North Carolina at Pembroke
SWK 3850-002
Ms. Bobbie Samson
September 19th, 2021
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Abstract

This paper was developed in order to research, analyze, and predict the lifelong effects of

domestic violence on children in Cumberland County, North Carolina. It begins with a literature

review on the potential effects of domestic violence and the research that has been conducted to

support this relationship. Although there are endless possibilities of effects, the literature review

breaks down three main categories of potential effects: prolonged violent behavior and

aggression, a heightened risk for gaining developmental disabilities, and substance abuse Then,

this paper takes a closer look at domestic violence cases within Cumberland County and provides

a short overview of current resources for victims of domestic violence. Lastly, this paper

discusses potential changes that could be made in order to limit the risk factors and serve as

potential protection for children involved in these scenarios.

Keywords: Youth, domestic violence, low-income, risk-factors of abuse.

The Effects of Domestic Violence on Children

Exposure to domestic violence and abuse during childhood has been proven to cause

several lifelong effects that not only cause issues during childhood but also carry into adulthood.

Intimate partner violence (IPV) consistently plagues society and continuously worsens over time

as “approximately 36% of women and 29% of men have experienced physical violence, rape,

and/or stalking by an intimate partner during their lifetime” (Chesworth et al., 2019, p. 2220).

Before analyzing potential solutions to this crisis in the United States, analyzing the effects of

domestic violence on children is critical. Some of these effects include prolonged violent

behavior and aggression, a heightened risk for gaining developmental disabilities, and substance

abuse. This paper will explore the lasting effects exposure to domestic violence has on youth.

Part One: Literature Review

To explore the potential lifelong effects of domestic violence on youth, a subset of

literature has been selected based on its relevance to the following questions:

1) Does exposure to domestic violence lead to a repeat of similar behaviors in childhood

and into adulthood?

2) How does exposure to domestic violence affect a child developmentally?

3) Are children exposed to domestic violence more likely to develop self-destructive

habits in adulthood?

Potential for Prolonged Violent Behavior

Foshee et al. (2016) conducted a study that was designed to prove the relationship

between exposure to domestic violence and abuse and aggressive behaviors (p. 672). Until this
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study, there was limited research done specifically on this phenomenon. They highlighted the

idea that the “principles of social learning theory support examination of adolescent attitudes that

are accepting of aggression and poor conflict management skills” (Foshee et al., 2016, p. 673). In

other words, social learning theory suggests that aggression can be a learned behavior that is

perceived to be unpunished and potentially rewarded; thus, the behavior is repeated (Foshee et

al., 2016, p. 673). Chesworth et al (2019) further supports this theory by adding that people from

their study “who engaged in IPV are a parent or guardian living in the home of the children

exposed and are likely to be significant individuals in these children’s lives” (p. 2221). Because

violent behavior is modeled by people who hold significant relationships in the children’s lives,

it adds a heightened risk of repeated behavior (Chesworth et al, 2019, p. 2221). Lastly, after the

study was conducted, the results showed that “aggression was prevalent in the sample of

adolescents exposed to domestic violence; 70 % reported perpetrating at least one of the forms of

aggression” (Foshee et al., 2019, p. 679).

Developmental Concerns

While some children gain resiliency and coping skills after being exposed to family

violence, studies have shown that “child exposure to IPV is a form of toxic stress associated with

numerous deleterious short- and long-term consequences that can substantially alter a child’s

developmental trajectory” (Rizo et al., 2021, p. 900). Experiencing these levels of toxic stress,

especially during these emotionally vulnerable states during childhood, are likely to cause

“internalizing and trauma symptoms (e.g., anxiety, depression, PTSD symptoms)” (Rizo et al.,

2021, p. 900). This is because "in the face of stress, the body prepares us to respond by

increasing the heart rate, blood pressure, and stress hormones, such as cortisol" (Newman et al.,

2015, p.135). Further, if this stress response is prolonged it can “disrupt the development of brain
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architecture, increasing the risk for stress-related disease and cognitive impairment" (Newman et

al., 2015, p. 135). Studies have shown that there is a significant correlation between IPV

exposure and IDD (“disorders that are usually present at birth and that negatively affect the

trajectory of the individual’s physical, intellectual, and/or emotional development” (Rizo et al.,

2021, p. 900-901). There is also evidence that supports the notion that “children’s IPV exposure

has tended to focus on verbal abilities and IQ scores, finding that children exposed to IPV have

lower verbal and IQ scores compared to non-exposed children” (Rizo et al., 2021, 903). Not only

are children exposed to IPV and domestic violence at risk for emotional trauma symptoms, but

there is also a cognitive development that is at risk.

Risk of Future Substance Abuse

Lastly, victims of childhood domestic violence are also disproportionately affected by the

opioid epidemic when compared to those who have no history of domestic violence (Williams et

al., 2020, p. 1). This opioid epidemic claim 130 lives daily in the United States. Out of this

population as a whole, “up to 60% of adults will report at least one IPT experience and has been

shown to increase risk for pain conditions, prescription opioid use, and opioid misuse” (Williams

et al., 2020, p. 2). Stress could also play a role in the correlation between domestic violence and

the misuse of opioids (Williams et al., 2020, p. 3). Biologically speaking, “exposure to chronic

stress, such as IPT, can lead to dysregulation in stress-responsive biological systems, resulting in

increased immune/inflammatory activity from chronic, stress-induced activation of the HPA

axis” (Williams et al., 2020, p. 4). There is a relationship that already exists between those who

experience PTSD, anxiety disorders, and other stress related disorders who are at risk of

developing and opioid dependency; this relationship is only intensified for those who have

experienced IPV (Williams et al., 2020, p. 6).

Part II: Community Profile and Relationship to Problem and Population

The chosen community of interest is Cumberland County, North Carolina. In order to

examine the relationship between the problem and the population within the community,

numerous community characteristics were examined. Additionally, interviews were conducted

with members of the community who work directly with domestic violence victims and their

families.

Geographic Characteristics:

Cumberland County, North Carolina is located in North Carolina’s Coastal Plain region

(Vocci, 2006). The area is composed of about 652 square miles with 489 people per square mile

(U.S. Census, 2010). There are numerous major highways in Cumberland County that aid in

keeping the area free from isolation. The largest city in Cumberland County is Fayetteville,

which is home to Fort Bragg. Some of the area is rural, which adds to the available outdoor

recreational activities in the area.

History of Community
The Highland Scots – a community of families who originally were from the Scottish

northern mainland and islands - first settled the area in the 1700s (Breach, 2006). This group is

known for their strategic movement directly from their homeland into the colony of North

Carolina (Breach, 2006). Much of the society that would come from this settlement interlocked

with a tribal clan system that already existed in the area. This arrangement was short-lived as

Scottish and English forces defeated the Highland Army in 1746 resulting in many liberties taken

from the native population (Breach, 2006). Being forced to learn a new language and face

religious prejudice caused the native population to feel isolated from other members of the
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community. Some of the presence from the Scottish can still be recognized and felt in the Cape

Fear Region such as the Presbyterian Church and the number of Scottish names still circulating

in the region. Limited representation of the native population is also a characteristic that came

from the history of the community.

Economic Characteristics

Fort Bragg is located within Cumberland County, North Carolina with 21% of the

population being of military service or a military contractor (Cumberland County CHNA Report,

2019). Other significant areas of occupation include the Caper Fear Valley Health Systems,

Cumberland County Schools, Wal-Mart Associates Incorporated, and the Cumberland County

Government (Cumberland County CHNA Report, 2019). Most of the rest of the population are

retail, factory, and fast food workers (Cumberland County CHNA Report, 2019).

The unemployment rate has steadily remained higher than the state and national level. In

2015, the unemployment rate was 7.6% then lowering to 5.0% in 2018. Currently, the North

Carolina unemployment rate is 4.3 and the national unemployment rate is 5.2% (U.S. Census,

2019). With an elevated unemployment rate, there is also an 18% poverty rate as of 2019, which

is significantly higher than the national rate of 11.4% (U.S. Census, 2019). This is caused by the

low median household income amounts – Cumberland County barely reaching $46,000 on

average. This is alarming especially when compared to the state median household income of

$54,602 and the national rate of $62,843.

Political Characteristics

Within the Cumberland County, 74.6% of the population is of voting age. However, in

the last election, of 50.2% of voters did come out to vote. From the viewpoint of register voters,
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democratic voters hold the majority of the population.  (Cumberland County Community Health

Needs Assessment, 2019.) Historically, Cumberland County contains a large majority of

democratic leaders and voters.

Interviews

Due to the sensitive nature of domestic violence and abuse cases, interviewees were

selected based on their occupation and experiences in dealing with domestic violence

intervention. No victims of domestic violence were selected in order to minimize potentially

repeated victimization. The interviews conducted were representatives from Army Community

Services located on Fort Bragg and a Child Protective Services Social Worker with years of

experience working with at-risk youth and mediating family violence.

Army Community Services

Cumberland County. Many residents of Cumberland County are affiliated with Fort Bragg either

by their occupation or by family. Army Community Services (ACS) is an on-installation

resource for service members, their families, Department of Defense employees, and military

retirees. The missions of ACS is to facilitate the commander's ability to provide comprehensive,

standardized, coordinated and responsive services that support the mentioned parties. This

program serves as a guide for commanders to implement effective care for their Soldiers while

also linking them to external resources that are typically at no cost. Lastly, ACS conducts classes

in order to educate service members on child abuse, family advocacy, victim advocacy, and

many more.

The chosen employee of ACS to interview was Ms. Shonda Miller. Shonda has worked

with ACS for over 20 years – this includes the office on Fort Bragg, North Carolina, Fort Carson,
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Colorao, and Fort Drum, New York. Shonda has worked at youth violence centers, Department

of Social Services, and domestic violence crisis hotlines. The interview consisted of Shonda

providing a brief overview of her daily duties. She is in charge on planning and conducting

training for commanders on risk factors for domestic violence, cycles of abuse, and crisis

intervention. She also serves as a liaison for victims of domestic violence and their families in

order to refer them to appropriate authorities and care.

Shonda spoke fondly of her years of service with ACS, but did go in detail on some of

the negative aspects of her job. While Shonda does most of her work with commanders and other

military person, her role as a victim advocate has been challenging at times. She spoke of

numerous times that she would serve as an escort for recent victims of domestic violence and the

toll their stories would have on her. According to her, most of the cases she works with involve

children in some capacity. The most common effects that she has seen in youth exposed to

domestic violence is the potential for rebellious and unruly behavior as time passes. She believes

that many of the children that she has worked with do not adequately receive recovery assistance

after exposure. This has led to future problems for the family and the child.

Child Protective Services Cumberland County

The second interviewee chose to remain anonymous; however, due to the nature of their

work, the utmost confidentiality considerations were maintained throughout the entirety of the

interview. To start out the interview, they gave me a brief explanation of their role as an intake

social worker at Child Protective Services in Cumberland County, North Carolina. There are

strict guidelines and policies that dictate a majority of the intake process. It starts by a report of

child abuse or neglect coming in from someone within the community – this could be a friend, a

teacher, or even a doctor. If the report is accepted, it begins the investigation process.
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The interviewee spoke about some common reports that come in. They said that the most

common report is a physical abuse report; however, once the investigation is started, they often

find that emotional abuse is a common trend as well. Due to the interviewee’s role in the process,

they could not speak concretely and definitively about the lifelong effects of domestic violence.

They could, however, speak to the cycles and patterns of abuse. There are some “repeat

offenders” within the Cumberland County system. This means that there has been a previous

report of abuse or neglect that came out unfounded and thus was report again. They admitted that

there is often an issue during the investigation portion of this process that has room for

improvement. Lastly, the interviewee spoke about previous experience in a different state at

CPS. They mentioned that she intakes considerably more child abuse and neglect reports in

Cumberland County than she ever has anywhere else.

Part III: Assessment of Current Strengths/Resources and Gaps

Strengths and Resources

When compared to other, more rural areas surrounding Cumberland County, there is a

wealth of available resources. Some of these resources include Army Community Services,

Cumberland County Sheriff Victim Assistance, Cumberland County District Attorney,

Cumberland County Family Court, Fayetteville Police Department, Victim Assistance, and

Domestic Violence Safe link Office (Fayettevillenc.gov, 2021). It can be argued that service

members have more access to resources; however, this is not always the case.

One notable civilian resource is CARE- Family Domestic Violence Program in

Fayetteville, NC. They offer emergency services such as emergency shelter, food and clothing,

emergency cell phones, and a confidential shelter location. Additional to the emergency services
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offered, they offer legal and financial assistance, counselling, and children’s services. Lastly,

some support services offered include goal planning, job skills training, job placement searching,

and resources and referrals. Job skills training and placement can be a valuable resource for a

recent victim of domestic violence and can serve as an aid to get them back onto their feet.

Gaps

Although there are numerous resources in the Cumberland County area for domestic

violence victims, there are some gaps in services. For the purposes of this assessment, it was

difficult to locate child-specific resources that were not a school-based of government-based

program. Child Protective Services is somewhat limited on resources for dealing with the

aftermath of abuse – not just investigating the abuse and ending it. School programs do not have

adequate counselling services that go in-depth with crisis intervention and the prevention of

future behavioral and developmental issues with youth who have been victims of domestic

violence. While the area has made strides at combatting the occurrence of domestic violence,

there are limited resources that deal with the post-traumatic crisis that research support.

There are numerous resources in the community for counseling, but many of them are not

cost-effective and cannot serve as a realistic alternative for most victims – especially those with

children in need of services as well. There are agencies that offer free services; however, most of

those agencies have limited availability of resources. This means that victims can often find

themselves on waitlists for services. Agency policies that determine eligibility criteria can also

serve as a roadblock for many families in need of assistance.

Conclusion
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The occurrence of domestic violence within Cumberland County, North Carolina can be

overwhelming. These occurrences often have significant impacts on the immediate victims, their

family, and their future. Children that become privy to the occurrence of domestic violence

within their home often suffer lifelong conditions and post-traumatic stress. There is a proven

connection between children exposed to domestic violence and those who become victims of

other crises later in life due to their involvement.

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