Saskatchewan Federation of Police Officers 113 IMPACT ON CHILDREN Children may copy what they learn from their parents. They may: •use violence and threats to get what they want • learn that people do not get in trouble when they hurt others •believe men are in charge and should control women’s lives •believe that women don’t have the right to be treated with respect Children who are exposed to violence may be desensitized to aggressive behaviour. When this occurs young people see aggression as normal and are less concerned by it. Boys and teenagers of either sex are more likely to resent the mother or feel ashamed to be associated with her. The abuser may cause family members to turn against each other or gang up on each other by favouring one child over others, lying, revealing secrets, causing conflict, or punishing all children for the misbehavior of one. Children of abused mothers may display numerous kinds of difficulties. •physical complaints (headaches, stomach aches, eczema, bed-wetting, tiredness) •constant worry about possible danger or safety of family members (for example, checking on sisters or brothers, phoning home, locking doors) • sadness or withdrawal from people and activities • low self-esteem and lack of confidence, especially for trying new things •difficulty paying attention in class, concentrating on work, and learning new information •outbursts of anger directed toward self or others •bullying or aggression directed toward others Abuse affects children differently depending on their age. From birth to two years children exposed to family violence may have attachment problems; failure to thrive; risk of being “caught in the crossfire” during attack on mother; predisposition to impulsive, reactive, and violent behaviour. Preschoolers: Imitation of violent behaviour; clinginess and anxious attachments to mother; negative moods; difficult to manage; nervousness. continued... www.legalinfo.org
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