October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness about domestic violence and its impact on individuals, families, and communities. An important part of that conversation is understanding the connection between children and domestic violence. Even when a child is not physically harmed, living in a home where violence occurs can affect their sense of safety, stability, and wellbeing.
Children may witness an incident firsthand, hear arguments from another room, notice injuries, or recognize that someone they love is afraid. They may also experience sudden changes in where they live, who is caring for them, or what their everyday routine looks like.
Even when children don't fully understand what is happening, they can still feel its effects.
How Domestic Violence Can Affect Children
Every child responds to difficult experiences differently. For some, the impact may be noticeable. For others, it may be much harder to recognize.
A child experiencing violence or instability at home might become withdrawn or unusually quiet. Another might have trouble concentrating at school, experience anxiety, struggle with sleep, or begin having emotional outbursts.
Sometimes, those behaviors are simply viewed as a child "acting out."
But behavior can tell us something.
A child's actions may be one of the ways they communicate fear, stress, confusion, or needs they don't yet have the words to explain. Looking beyond the behavior and considering what might be happening in a child's life can help adults respond with greater understanding.
The National Child Traumatic Stress Network offers additional information about children and domestic violence, including resources designed to help adults better understand how children may be affected.
Children and Domestic Violence: Seeing the Bigger Picture
For children involved in the child welfare and court systems, domestic violence may be only one part of a much larger story.
There may also be changes in housing, school, caregivers, family relationships, or other areas of a child's life. At a time when so much may feel uncertain, it is important that someone is paying attention to how all of those pieces are affecting the individual child.
That's where a Court Appointed Special Advocate, or CASA, can play an important role.
Henrico CASA Advocates are trained volunteers appointed by the court to advocate for children who have experienced abuse or neglect. They spend time getting to know the child and learning about their circumstances. They also gather information from caregivers, teachers, service providers, family members, and other professionals involved in the child's life.
By looking at the bigger picture, an Advocate can help the court better understand the child's experiences, needs, and circumstances.
Every Child's Experience Is Different
There is no single way a child affected by domestic violence will behave, feel, or respond.
That is why paying attention matters.
Instead of making assumptions based on one behavior, one interaction, or one moment, we can remain curious about what a child may have experienced and what they may need to feel safe and supported.
For CASA Advocates, that means listening, observing, asking questions, gathering information, and continuing to show up.
Because behind every case is an individual child—and every child deserves to have their experiences seen, their needs understood, and their best interests heard.
Interested in learning more about the role of a CASA Advocate? Learn how Henrico CASA Advocates serve children in our community.
