Identifying Children Affected by Domestic Violence

Children who live with domestic violence have been called the "silent" or "hidden" victims of violence because their presence is often overlooked by the parents/caregivers or unknown by observers and professionals. Adult victims may be hesitant to disclose to police, hospital staff, or child welfare workers that their children have seen the violence. This may be due to embarrassment, fear of retaliation or harm, or fear that their children might be removed from their care by Child Protective Services. Professionals who come in contact with these children and families may not ask about children's exposure to domestic violence because they are wary of offending caregivers or because they do not know what to do to help the children they do identify. In these cases, children are not linked with services.

In recent years, however, many service systems have increased their efforts to identify children and provide services to their families. For example: 

• Police departments. Many police officers routinely document the presence of children when they respond to calls involving domestic violence and also provide linkages to services.
  • Among the NCTSN resources that provide examples of this trend are:
    • Creating a Trauma-Informed Law Enforcement System (2008) (PDF)
    • Cops, Kids, & Domestic Violence (Video)
    Also see: Service System Responses for information on other programs.
  • The David and Lucile Packard Foundation funded a series of handbooks about children exposed to violence including:
    • Children Exposed to Violence: A Handbook for Police Trainers to Increase Understanding and Improve Community Responses
    • Youth Exposed to Domestic Violence: A Handbook for the Juvenile Justice System to Enhance Assessment and Intervention Strategies for Youth from Violent Homes
• Pediatric and family practice settings. Screening and assessment is conducted in these settings.
  • Family Violence Prevention Fund, in partnership with the American Academy of Pediatrics, the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners, and other organizations: Domestic Violence: Consensus Recommendations for Child and Adolescent Health (2010) (PDF) to help practitioners learn how to assess for and respond to domestic violence.
• Early child care settings. Children are identified and supported.
  • The David and Lucille Packard Foundation: Children Exposed to Domestic Violence: An Early Childhood Educator's Handbook to Increase Understanding and Improve Community Responses
  • The National Child Welfare Resource Center for Family-Centered Practice: Silent Realities: Supporting Young Children and Their Families Who Experience Violence (2006) (PDF)
• Middle and high schools. Information and resources on teen dating violence and safety in relationships.
  • National Youth Violence Prevention Resource Center
• Primary and secondary schools. Information on identifying and supporting children who have been exposed to domestic violence.
  • The David and Lucille Packard Foundation: Children Exposed to Domestic Violence: A Teacher's Handbook to Increase Understanding and Improve Community Responses