How does domestic violence affects children ?

By

ABSTRACT

Properly defining domestic violence has been a subject of controversy for many years. The questions that researchers ask among themselves range from what is appropriate, what fits the term, who or what fits into this category and many other things. Currently, there is no common definition among researchers and lawmakers. Childhood exposure to domestic violence happens when children see or hear physical assault between their parents or observe the effects. Child exposure to domestic violence is a term that covers a wide range of experiences for children whose caregivers are being abused physically, sexually, or emotionally by an intimate partner. This dissertation has focused on studying the effects of domestic violence on children using secondary qualitative and quantitative methods for conudting research and making critical analysis of the data that has been gathered through secondary resources.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

No words can express my appreciation and gratitude to my research adomestic violenceisor _______ through the course of this research, Professor _____has taught me numerous values that extend well beyond the realm of human resource management. His emphasis on dedication to work and his valuable and practical insights of life are some of the major highlights of my education at The University _________. To Professor _____, I say with great respect, thank you very much.

DECLARATION

I [type your full first names and surname here], declare that the contents of this dissertation/thesis represent my own unaided work, and that the dissertation/thesis has not previously been submitted for the academic examination towards any qualification. Furthermore, it represents my own opinions and not necessarily those of the University.

Signed __________________ Date _________________

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ABSTRACTii

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTiii

DECLARATIONiv

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION1

1.1 Definitions1

1.2 Child exposure2

1.3 Purpose of the Study3

1.4 Importance of the Study3

1.5 Research questions3

CHAPTER 2 LITERATURE REVIEW5

2.1 Effects on Children due to exposure of domestic violence6

2.2 Programs & interventions meant to curb domestic violence7

2.2.1 Early Intervention Programs8

2.2.2 Modern Intervention Programs8

2.2.3 Shelters for Children9

2.3 Legal framework against domestic violence10

2.3.1 Protection from Harassment Act 199710

2.3.2 Crime and Disorder Act 199811

2.3.3 Children Act 200411

2.4 Theories dealing with domestic violence11

2.4.1 Domestic violence and the feminist theory12

2.4.2 Domestic violence and attachment theory13

2.4.3 Domestic violence and social control theory16

2.5 Contribution to the Literature17

REFERENCES19

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION

Violence knows no boundaries and can be seen in most cultures and throughout all social strata. Domestic violence is one form of violence that has been kept silent for many years, but is becoming recognized in America as an epidemic that is sweeping through the households of our nation. British common law once allowed a man to "chastise" his wife with any reasonable instrument if she was not behaving in a manner that he saw appropriate. As in Britain, abuse was also common in the United Kingdom (Royal College of Psychiatrists 2004 p.119). During the 1800s, state laws and societal views continued to support a man's right to discipline his wife. It was not until 1895 that women were able to divorce their husbands if they were abused. Since then, societal views have evolved and it is now understood that acts ...