Table of Contents

Topic Introduction Pg. 4

Definition and Prevalence Pg. 5-7

Topic Trends Pg. 8-12

Risk Factors Pg. 14-18

Table of Contents

Victims Needs Pg. 19-21

Organizational Goals Pg. 22

Conclusion Pg. 23

References Pg. 24-25

It is difficult to pinpoint exactly how to identify or prevent the crime of children exposed to domestic violence, "No scientifically credible national prevalence data currently exist for child exposure to domestic violence" (Funtuzzo, 1999).

This makes it more difficult to figure out the "why" and "how" to fixing and figuring out how to stop CEDV with the little amount of information we have.

Our organization is designed to protect and prevent childhood exposure to domestic violence by equipping survivors and using prevention for at risk children and youth.

 What is Childhood exposure to domestic violence?

Childhood exposure to domestic violence (CEDV) is defined as “when children see, hear, are directly involved in (i.e., attempt to intervene) or experience the aftermath of physical, emotional, or sexual assaults that occur between their caregivers or relatives” (Evans, Davies, & DiLillo, 2008) .

Mommy and Daddy are often fighting and yelling! Mom ends up crying and has bruises the next day...

If you are scared because your parents or guardians are fighting or yelling tell someone. Tell your teacher, doctor, or any other adult.

There is no clear legal definition of CEDV, even clinicians’ definitions of CEDV are different from legal definitions. However, domestic violence is more clearly defined as “a pattern of assaultive and coercive behaviors, including physical, sexual and psychological attacks.” CEDV is when the child experiences the domestic violence. (Funtuzzo, 1999)

Researchers estimate 3 to 17.8 million children a year in America are exposed to at least one domestic violence event. However, it is interesting that in a retrospective study 20-40% adults reported exposure to domestic violence in childhood or adolescents (Evans, Davies, & DiLillo, 2008).

However, it is important to note a small portion of people in America and very few states define CEDV as child maltreatment or a crime. As a result, studies have been limited and real numbers of CEDV could be much larger (Henry, 2018).

Think about five friends.. There is a big chance that one of those friends will be exposed to their parents or guardians in the act of domestic violence.

Children who are exposed to domestic violence are at risk for a variety of negative behaviors and consequences. How does exposure affect children?

Children who have witnessed DV, may be affected with problems later in life, including tobacco use, substance abuse, obesity, cancer, heart disease, depression and a higher risk for unintended pregnancy (The Impact, 2019).

A child’s exposure to domestic violence is the strongest risk factor for transmitting violent behavior from one generation to the next. This behavior has statistically been proven to pass on from victim to the next, with thought of, "this must be what love is". (The Impact, 2019)

-Does your mom or dad often drop you off at your other relatives house?

-Does it seem like your parents aren't spending time together as often and seem upset but nothings being done?

-These could be indicators that you are witnessing or experiencing domestic violence

When Children hear and discuss these topics (CEDV), they lose the sense of urgency and realization. It is important for kids to know that this is serious and can happen to any child.

In research done by Michael L. Benson, it is found that African Americans appear to have a higher likelihood of engaging in domestic violence. This theory is proven from analyzing the social disorganization theory, and research on urban poverty (Benson, Wooldredge, Thistlethwaite, & Fox, 2014).

This is an important risk factor, because we are able to more accurately find which groups of children are more at risk to CEDV, and can strategically reach these families with the correct services.

The author also states two more reasons for the occurrence of DV. The correlation with race and DV nearly disappears in comparison to whites and blacks in similar communities, and the level of risks comparing blacks and whites are both very similar (Benson Et al., 2014).

This is a strongly relevant statement, because according to this article, every child is vulnerable to experiencing such traumatic events based on the similarities of their environment in which they reside in.