Download Infants (Ages 0

Children react to their environment in different ways.
Reactions can vary depending on the child's gender & age.
Infants (Ages 0-1 years)
* Basic need for attachment is disrupted.
* Routines around feeding/sleeping are disturbed.
* Injuries while "caught in the crossfire".
* Irritability or inconsolable crying.
* Frequent illness.
* Difficulty sleeping.
* Diarrhea.
* Developmental delays.
* Lack of responsiveness.
Preschool (Ages 1-5 years)
* Somatic or psychosomatic complaints.
* Regression to an earlier stage of development.
* Irritability.
* Fearful of being alone.
* Extreme separation anxiety.
* Developmental delays.
* Sympathetic toward mother.
* Feel responsible for the violence.
* May not be open to discuss their feelings.
Elementary Age (Ages 6-10 years)
* Vacillate between being eager to please & being hostile.
* Verbal about home life.
* Developmental delays.
* Externalized behavior problems.
* Inadequate social skill development.
* Gender role modeling creates conflict/confusion.
* Feelings of shame and guilt out of a belief that they
should be able to prevent the violence.
Preadolescence (Ages 11-13 years)
* Behavior problems become more serious.
* Increased internalized behavior difficulties: depression,
isolation, withdrawal.
* Emotional difficulties: shame, fear, confusion, rage.
* Poor social skills.
* Developmental delays.
* Protection of mother, sees her as "weak".
* Guarded/secretive about family.
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Adolescence (Ages 13-17 years)
* Internalized and externalized behavior problems can
become extreme and dangerous: drug/alcohol, truancy,
gangs, sexual acting out, pregnancy, runaway, suicidal.
* Dating relationships may reflect violence learned or
witnessed in the home.