Children that experience or witness domestic violence in their families are also affected, if not phyiscally, emotionally.
Some potential effects are :
Emotional: Grief for family and personal losses; Shame, guilt, and self blame; Confusion about conflicting feelings toward parents; Fear of abandonment, or expressing emotions; Anger; Depression and feelings of helplessness and powerlessness; Embarrassment
Behavioral: Acting out or withdrawing; Aggressive or passive; Refusing to go to school; Care taking, acting as a parent substitute; Lying to avoid confrontation; Rigid defenses; Excessive attention seeking; Bedwetting or nightmares; Out of control behavior; Reduced intellectual competency, manipulation, denpendency, mood swings