Long Term Implications on Male Children Who Witness Interparental Violence

The immediate effects of family violence on child witnesses are well documented. Even with this information children often do not receive any services particularly if they have not been physically harmed. What is less evident are the long term effects of, family violence on child witnesses. This study gathered data via a questionnaire from 25 males who were attending a domestic violence education program for assaulting their female partner. The questionnaire addressed childhood experiences such as the witnessing of parental violence, conflict resolution methods observed in childhood and discipline methods used in the home. Additionally, the questionnaire asked about current adult partner relationship conflict and discipline methods used with participant children These findings indicated that 88% of the male participants who had been violent in their adult partner relationship had also witnessed and/ or experienced violence in their home as a child