How Domestic Violence Affects Children

When a child is exposed to violence it can harm a child's emotional, psychological and even physical development. Children exposed to violence or living in a home with violence are more likely to have difficulty in school, abuse drugs or alcohol, act aggressively, suffer from depression or other mental health problems.

Resources on Children and Domestic Violence:

Safety Planning with Children

If you are in an abusive relationship, you should safety plan with your children

  • teach them when and how to call 911
  • make sure they have a safe place they can go either in room or;
  • talk to them about a neighbor they could go to
  • talk to them to make sure they know it’s not their fault

Resource for Safety Planning with Children:

For more information or to talk through your situation, reach out to a Phoenix Project Advocate at 540-635-2302. Free, confidential, and language services provided for limited English proficient clients.

A short video on Youth Violence:

If you are interested in learning more about how to help your teen recognize what is a healthy vs. unhealthy relationship please reach out to our office at 540-635-2303 or email kristen@phoenix-project.org

Information Packets
(download and print files)

Kids Safety Plan

Children's Domestic Violence Wheel

Healthy Relations for Teens

Teen dating violence is more common than we think, nearly 1.5 million high school students experience physical abuse from a partner in a single year.  Most teens don’t recognize the signs of an unhealthy relationship. As adults, we need to educate our teens and provide appropriate resources for their safety.

Warning Signs of Dating Abuse:

  • Telling you what to do
  • Explosive temper
  • Isolating you from your friends and family
  • Mood swings
  • Physically hurting you
  • Extreme jealousy
  • Pressuring or forcing you to do things you do not want to do

Teen Dating Stats:

  • 1 in 3 girls is a victim of physical, emotional or verbal abuse from a dating partner
  • 1 in 10 high school students have been hit, slapped or physically hurt by a girlfriend or boyfriend
  • Violent behavior often begins occurs between the ages 12 and 18

Take the opportunity to educate yourself about teen violence by visiting the websites below: