Live ChatChildren may experience domestic abuse directly, but they can also experience it indirectly by:
- Hearing the abuse from another room.
- Seeing someone they care about being injured and/or distressed.
- Finding damage to their home environment like broken furniture.
- Being hurt from being caught up in or trying to stop the abuse.
- Not getting the care and support they need from their parents or carers as a result of the abuse.
Domestic abuse during pregnancy puts you and your unborn child in danger.
Domestic abuse increases the risk of miscarriage, infection, premature birth, and injury or death to the baby.
It can also cause emotional and mental health problems, such as stress and anxiety, which can affect the development of the baby.
If you're pregnant and experiencing abuse, get help. You can speak in confidence to a: GP, midwife, health visitor, social worker, welfare team.
Domestic abuse undermines a child's basic need for safety and security.
Domestic abuse can have a serious effect on their behaviour, brain development, education outcomes and overall wellbeing. Psychological effects on a child:
Domestic abuse can cause confusing relationships with parents.
Where to get help: British Forces Social Work Service (BFSWS)
Useful contact numbers for each region:
Central European Practice, SHAPE, Naples and Sennelager