Family Violence • Back to Keeping Kids Safe Children from violent homes experience serious emotional and behavioural problems at rates of 10 to 17 times greater than children from non-violent homes (National Clearinghouse on Family Violence, 1999). Sleep disturbances, nightmares, bedwetting, fear of falling asleep Headaches, stomach aches, vague aches and pains or complaining of being overly tired. Respiratory tract infections and allergies. Having severe separation anxiety; fear of being abandoned Displaying aggressive behaviour and angry feelings Having a very high activity level or constant fidgeting Worrying constantly about danger Losing skills developed earlier, (e.g. toilet training). Failure to thrive, eating disturbances, diarrhea, nausea Withdrawing from friends and activities Withdrawing emotionally Worrying about the safety of loved ones Having difficulty concentrating Displaying repetitive play about a violent event (L.L.Badger, R.G.Jaffe, and K.J. Moore (2001). Understanding the effects of Domestic Violence: A Trainer’s manual for early Childhood educators. London ON: Centre for Children and families in the Justice System). Impact on child at school Poor attendance Difficulty concentrating Exhaustion Acting out Bullying Withdrawing from friends and activities There are for support services for victims of violence, you can find more at the Clearing House on Family Violence. The Victim Crisis Assistance & Referral Services (VCARS) program is a community response program providing immediate on-site service to victims of crime or disaster, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. To the Top