Barn som er vitne til vold i hjemmet - psykososiale konsekvenser, avdekking og behandling

The purpose of the paper is to examine the different psychosocial consequences children who witness intimate partner violence can experience, and to review various treatment approaches for both the child and the abused parent. Moreover, this thesis aims to examine screening procedures and which treatments are offered to these children in Norway, and discuss appropriate actions that can be taken in order to improve today´s practice. Studies indicate that children and youth who have experienced intimate partner violence are affected in many areas including mental health, social relations, attachment and in their biological and cognitive development. Several treatment interventions offered to these children are examined. Differences in the experimental design makes it difficult to compare the effect of the treatments. Most studies have found a reduction in the children´s psychological symptoms after treatment. Externalizing, internalizing and PTSD symptoms are most often studied. Improvements in mental health and parental skills are found for the abused caregiver. The thesis discusses possible factors that can affect the treatment, and factors needed to be considered when choosing a treatment approach. Studies from Norway indicate that the violence is not always revealed when families are in contact with health professionals. Possible reasons for this can be lack of appropriate screening procedures and that the violence are kept secret by the parents or the children. Systematic screening and standardized screening tools are recommended in order to improve detection of violent experiences. Children who witness intimate partner violence have received more attention in Norwegian treatment institutions due to the project Barn som lever med vold i familien