Teachers are challenged daily by children arriving unprepared to attend school. They present behavioral problems and other issues due to domestic violence in their home. In addition to children being exposed to domestic violence, a study released October 7, 2009, “Children’s Exposure to Violence: A Comprehensive National Survey” from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention expands the types of violence encountered by children 17 and under. Their broad definition of violence indicates 60% of children were exposed to violence and “more than one-third of all 14- to 17-year-olds had seen a parent assaulted.”
This story is based on several cases from my counseling practice.
When Timmy, aged nine, arrived at school this morning, he was tired and stressed out. He spent another night hiding under his bed with his sister until his father passed out drunk around 3:30 A. M. Timmy and his sister helped their mother wash and bandage her face and arms before they all fell into bed. Two hours later the alarm went off to awaken them for school.
Timmy and his sister barely caught the school bus. They threw their disheveled clothes on and tumbled out the door with no breakfast. Timmy’s teacher took one look at him and knew he just slept a couple of hours. It would be another school day lost by Timmy forever.
Domestic Violence impacts school students every day. Students who live with parental domestic violence arrive at schools daily lacking sleep, meals, and time to focus on the most important job in their lives — their education. “Witnessing Mothers Treated Violently” is one of the Adverse Childhood Experiences with lifetime consequences.
When parents adopt the parenting principle “my job is to protect my children from harm”, they provide a safe, stable, nurturing home for their children. Parents realize it is important to find effective means to communicate with each other for a positive impact on their relationship and the lives of their children. This prevents children from experiencing Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE).
What are you doing to support parents to create Safe, Stable, Nurturing Relationships with their children?
Create Peaceful homes, Peaceful families,
Debra
P.S. Discover more about “Effects of Domestic Violence on Children” training course Oct 19, 21, 26, 28, 2009
P.P.S. Watch for information on CDC approach to Child Abuse Prevention based on ACE Study findings.