Canan Karatekin, PhD, an associate professor in the Institute of Child Development (ICD), and Abi Gewirtz, PhD, a professor in ICD and the Department of Family Social Science, were recently featured in an article in USA Today that examined the impact of domestic violence on children.

The article discussed research that is showing the long-lasting impact of exposure to domestic violence. For example, the article highlighted research that suggests that witnessing domestic violence may carry the same risk as being abused directly. According to other studies, exposure to domestic violence may rewire the brain and cause health and mental health issues later in life. 

According to Gewirtz, violence can feel scarier than war for children. It’s “one of the most terrifying forms of violence because it happens in a place which is supposed to be safe,” said Gewirtz, who also directs the Institute for Translational Research in Children’s Mental Health. “Children are totally powerless, especially very young children. They are totally dependent on their parents.”

“If there’s domestic violence in the household, it’s statistically likely that there’s also physical abuse and emotional abuse and maybe drug or alcohol abuse,” Karatekin told USA Today. “These things go together.”