Prevalence and effects of child exposure to domestic violence

In recent years, researchers have focused attention on children who are exp osed to domestic violence. Although presently there are no scientifically c redible estimates of the national prevalence of children exposed to domesti c violence, existing data suggest that large numbers of American children a re affected. This article discusses the limitations of current databases an d describes a promising model for the collection of reliable and valid prev alence data, the Spousal Assault Replication Program, which uses data colle cted through collaboration between police and university researchers. Research examining the effects of childhood exposure to domestic violence i s also limited by a range of methodological problems. Despite this, however , sufficient evidence from the body of studies exists to conclude that such exposure has adverse effects. The specific effects may differ depending on a host of variables, such as the children's ages, the nature and severity of the violence, the existence of other risk factors in the children's live s (for example, poverty parental substance abuse), and whether the children are also directly physically abused. In general, childhood exposure to dom estic violence can be associated with increased display of aggressive behav ior, increased emotional problems such as depression and/or anxiety, lower levels of social competence, and poorer academic functioning. A scientifically credible body of research on the pre prevalence and effect s of childhood exposure to domestic violence is necessary to promote the de velopment of effective interventions and to permit the proper channeling of public and private funds. This article identifies some of the steps that c an be taken to build the research capacity necessary to obtain the needed d ata.