Research · Domestic violence
How many children are exposed to domestic violence?
The National Survey of Children’s Exposure to Violence (NatSCEV), sponsored by the U.S. Department of Justice and the CDC, surveyed a nationally representative sample of children.
What the source says
- 1 in 4 children (26%) were exposed to at least one form of family violence during their lifetimes.
- 1 in 15 (6.6%) were exposed to intimate partner violence between parents in the past year.
- 90% of children exposed to intimate partner violence saw it directly.
Our view
Mothers and fathers both report abuse. Whichever parent you are, reporting abuse should never be turned against you, and no parent should be labeled “alienating” for trying to protect a child.
Source
Hamby, S., Finkelhor, D., Turner, H., & Ormrod, R. (2011). Children’s Exposure to Intimate Partner Violence and Other Family Violence. Juvenile Justice Bulletin, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention.
More research
- Custody outcomes study
- UN report on custody and violence
- World Health Organization
- Custody evaluators’ beliefs
- Domestic violence and child trauma
- Child abuse statistics
- Children killed during custody disputes
- Kayden’s Law
- New York custody bills
This page summarizes published sources. It is not legal, medical or therapeutic advice.