Get Out Alive World Podcast Episode 18

<p>In this episode, we spoke about the impacts of domestic abuse on children and young adults. We also spoke about if the effects on every child are the same and if children grow up to be abusers and/or victims.</p> <p>Some of the effects are:</p> <ul> <li>They may become anxious or depressed</li> <li>They may have difficulty sleeping</li> <li>They have nightmares or flashbacks</li> <li>They can be easily startled</li> <li>They may complain of physical symptoms such as tummy aches and may start to wet their bed</li> <li>They may have temper tantrums and problems with school</li> <li>They may behave as though they are much younger than they are</li> <li>They may become aggressive or they may internalize their distress and withdraw from other people</li> <li>They may have a lowered sense of self-worth</li> <li>Older children may begin to play truant, start to use alcohol or drugs, begin to self-harm by taking overdoses or cutting themselves, or have an eating disorder.</li> <li>Children may also feel <strong>angry</strong>, <strong>guilty</strong>,<strong> insecure</strong>, <strong>alone</strong>, <strong>frightened</strong>, <strong>powerless,</strong> or <strong>confused</strong>. They may have ambivalent feelings towards both the abuser and the non-abusing parent.</li> </ul> <p>Below are some recommendations that would work very well:</p> <ul> <li>Educational programs focusing on healthy relationships</li> <li>Challenging gender inequality</li> <li>Sexual stereotyping, and domestic abuse, should be integrated with work on anti-bullying and conflict resolution as a mandatory part of the PHSE curriculum in all schools. These would act as important preventive measures.</li> </ul>