According to the National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN), Intimate Partner Violence (IPV), also known as domestic violence, occurs when one person intentionally harms, threatens, or controls a current or former partner or spouse. Abuse may develop as a repeated pattern of coercion and control, but even a single incident can be a warning sign. IPV is not limited to physical harm; it can also involve sexual, emotional, verbal, or financial abuse. Tactics may include intimidation, manipulation, humiliation, stalking, blaming, or isolating a partner from friends and family.
Once viewed as a private family matter, IPV is now recognized as a serious public health and legal issue. It affects individuals and families across all ages, cultures, and backgrounds. Abuse occurs in dating relationships, long-term partnerships, and among older adults. While women make up the majority of victims, men can also experience IPV. Members of the LGBTQ community are disproportionately affected and often face barriers when seeking help from community resources such as shelters or law enforcement. Laws addressing IPV exist in every U.S. state, reflecting growing awareness of its widespread impact.
Children are often the hidden victims of domestic violence. Some are directly injured, while others witness violence or live in an environment shaped by fear and instability. Children exposed to IPV are more likely to have also experienced emotional abuse, neglect, physical abuse, or community violence. Although exposure to IPV is common, children are inherently resilient and can recover when supported by caring adults who provide stability, attention, and reassurance.
Children’s responses to IPV vary based on age, developmental stage, the severity of the violence, how close they were to the events, and how caregivers respond afterward. Children’s immediate reactions to IPV may include anxiety, sleep problems, nightmares, difficulty concentrating, increased activity levels, aggression, and intense worry about their own safety or that of a parent. Some children may become overly fearful of being separated from a caregiver. These responses are similar to reactions seen in children exposed to other forms of trauma.
Long-term exposure to domestic violence, particularly when that violence is ongoing, can lead to more persistent challenges. Children may develop physical health problems, behavioral difficulties during adolescence such as delinquency or substance use, and emotional struggles in adulthood, including depression, anxiety, or symptoms associated with post-traumatic stress. Exposure to IPV has also been linked to academic difficulties, including problems with attention, completing schoolwork, and lower performance in verbal, motor, and social skill areas.
In addition to these effects, children may learn harmful beliefs about relationships and power. They may come to view violence as an acceptable way to express control, manage stress, or show affection. These lessons can negatively influence future relationships throughout childhood and adulthood.
Effective intervention often requires more than therapy alone. Families may need advocacy, legal support, and assistance accessing resources to ensure safety and stability. For children, treatment may include individual counseling, group therapy, or joint sessions with a nonoffending parent. Strengthening the relationship between the child and the nonoffending caregiver is a key factor in helping children heal and move forward. Supportive caregiving plays a critical role in recovery.
If you’re concerned about the impact of domestic violence or would like to talk with a licensed professional counselor about other mental health concerns, you’re welcome to contact Olive Branch Counseling Associates at 708-633-8000. Appointments are available in person at our office located at 6819 167th Street in Tinley Park, IL 60477, or through convenient telehealth sessions. We look forward to supporting you.
Molly Vacha
Graduate Intern, 2026
Olive Branch Counseling Associates, Inc.
Reference
NCTSN. (2019, April 25). Intimate Partner Violence. The National Child Traumatic Stress Network. https://www.nctsn.org/what-is-child-trauma/trauma-types/intimate-partner-violence
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