Domestic abuse and the impact on young children: A UK perspective

Hedy Cleaver

Children and Youth Services Review, 2025, vol. 172, issue C

Abstract: Survivors and victims of domestic abuse are frequently fearful of revealing what is happening to them. Consequently, the increasingly high numbers reported to the police are likely to be a significant underestimation. This paper explores the impact of domestic abuse on young children. It is based on the scrutiny of a wide range of research, both national and international, and takes a developmental perspective. The paper initially explores how exposure to domestic abuse can affect the unborn child. The focus then turns to infants and discusses how domestic abuse can have a detrimental affect on the child’s health, education, and emotional and behavioural development before examining the possible long-term consequences. Finally, the implications for policy and practice are discussed.

Keywords: Domestic abuse; Young children; Bonding and attachment; Infant development (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:cysrev:v:172:y:2025:i:c:s0190740925001197

DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2025.108236

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