Unfortunately, child abuse and domestic violence often exist in the same space. In this blog, we hear from Kimberly Harrison, Executive Director of Mercer County Family Crisis Center, about the intersection of domestic violence and child abuse, and how integrating care and services can benefit survivors of all ages as well as communities. 

 

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month, a time to raise awareness and promote prevention efforts aimed at protecting children from harm. The statistics are alarming, with millions of children in the United States experiencing abuse or neglect each year. This month serves as a call to action for individuals, organizations, and communities to come together to advocate for vulnerable children and take steps to ensure their safety.

But what happens when the lines between child abuse and domestic violence become blurred? For many children, domestic violence in the home is a direct precursor to their own abuse or neglect.

Domestic violence is often viewed as a problem that affects only adults, typically women in intimate partner relationships. However, children living in homes where domestic violence occurs are profoundly impacted, even if they are not the direct victims of the violence. Children in these homes may witness violence, be physically harmed, or live in an environment where emotional and psychological abuse is rampant.

While various specialized agencies focus on either child advocacy or domestic violence, combining these services offers a more integrated response. As a domestic violence agency covering a small rural county, we noticed the profound impact domestic violence was having on children, from emotional trauma to developmental setbacks. As we worked closely with survivors, it became increasingly clear that children who witness or are exposed to violence in the home were often left without the specialized support they needed to cope and heal. Motivated by this realization, we decided to take action and integrate a children’s advocacy center into our existing domestic violence services and have done so successfully for 20 years.  By doing so, we created a safe, child-friendly space that provides essential services like counseling, advocacy, and legal assistance tailored to the unique needs of young survivors. This addition ensures that children and their families receive the holistic care they deserve, helping to break the cycle of violence and support long-term healing for the next generation. Through this initiative, we are committed to addressing the often-overlooked needs of children and giving them a voice in the process of recovery.

 

The Power of a Holistic Approach

Combining these two critical services, we recognize that the welfare of children is inextricably linked to the safety and well-being of the entire family. By addressing both child abuse and domestic violence together, the agency creates a continuum of care that helps families break free from cycles of violence and abuse.

Some of the benefits of this integrated model include:

        • Safety and Stability for the Family: Families facing domestic violence often experience multiple crises simultaneously, unsafe housing, legal challenges, and trauma. By offering both child advocacy and domestic violence services in one place, we help create a safer, more stable environment for children and their parents.
        • Comprehensive Trauma Support: Children who experience both domestic violence and abuse require specialized trauma-informed care. Combining services allows for seamless therapeutic interventions that can help both the children and the parents understand and heal from the trauma they’ve experienced.
        • Coordinated Legal and Social Services: Families facing domestic violence and child abuse may be navigating complex legal and social service systems. A combined agency provides a single point of access to legal advocacy and resources, making it easier for families to navigate the often-overwhelming processes of seeking justice and support.
        • Prevention and Education: By addressing both issues in one space, we can offer educational programming that highlights the intersectionality of child abuse and domestic violence. These programs can help families and communities understand how these issues are connected and how to break the cycle through early intervention, community engagement, and advocacy.

 

Child Abuse Prevention Month is a time to reflect on the progress made and the work still ahead. By highlighting the intersectionality of child abuse and domestic violence, we recognize that the two issues cannot be addressed in isolation. Combining the two, we are paving the way for a more comprehensive, trauma-informed response to these intertwined challenges. Through collaboration, community engagement, and a focus on holistic healing, we can provide hope and healing to families affected by both child abuse and domestic violence.

 

–Kimberly Harrison​, Executive Director, ​​Mercer County Family Crisis Center