Family Conflict, Domestic Violence & Dysfunctional Families
Family conflict - or in its extreme form, domestic violence - is one of the most neglected maltreatment issues of all. Few people realize that simply exposing Kids to domestic violence or severe conflict is as harmful to kids as abusing them directly. (Perry, 1997; Jenkins & Bell, 1994; Scheeringa & Zeanah, 1995; Hygge & Ohnan, 1978) Witnessing violence or extreme anger among caretakers produces the same stress response, the same sense of fear, and the same degree of PTSD symptoms as when children are the target of abuse. The following resources are designed to help parents, professionals, and children dealing with these volatile environments.
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