Children who have witnessed domestic violence may experience significant long-term effects. According to the Childhood Domestic Violence Association, 40 million adult Americans grew up living with domestic violence. Witnessing domestic violence can have a lasting impact on their lives and alter their hopes for the future.

Children who grow up in homes with domestic violence are three times more likely to repeat the cycle in adulthood as a victim in an abusive relationships or by becoming abusers themselves. * This can happen because violence becomes a norm in the eyes of the child and feel that they are at fault. 30% to 60% of perpetrators of intimate partner violence also abuse children in the household. ** Studies support the findings that rates of abuse are higher among those who were abused as children or who witnessed abuse as children. **

These children can also be at higher risk for health problems when they become adults. These can be psychological, such as depression and anxiety. While others may experience problems with their physical health such as diabetes, obesity, heart disease, and more.

Many studies show that stress and trauma can impair children’s brain development. Adults who experienced significant early life stress have differences in brain structure compared to people who experienced low levels of early stress. * Early exposure to violence can influence an infant’s stress reactivity. This can have lifelong effects on psychological and physical health. Domestic violence can even affect a child before they are born as domestic violence often begins or grows more intense during pregnancy. This results in maternal stress, which can interfere with fetal brain development. *

Long-term effects of witnessing domestic violence as a child:

• Drugs and alcohol abuse – Children who witnessed domestic violence are 50% more likely to turn to drugs and alcohol as a coping mechanism when adults to deal with the pain and memories. *
• They are at higher risk to mental health issues – Children who have experienced domestic violence often meet the diagnostic criteria for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and the effects on their brain are similar to those experienced by combat veterans. * They are also at higher risk for anxiety and depression in adulthood. 
• At risk for learning problems – Witnessing domestic violence can affect a child's ability to do well in school because they are preoccupied with concerns about their safety. This correlates with a lower IQ, deficiencies in visual-motor skills and problems with attention and memory. * This can affect overall opportunities for future success.
• Higher risk of severe physical health problems – As a result of drug and alcohol abuse, they are at high risk for physical health issues such as heart disease, autoimmune disorders, and cancer.
• Aggressive/violent behavior – Those who grow up with domestic violence in the home are 74% more likely to commit a violent crime against someone else. * This is because the child believes violence is a rational way to deal with stress and anger, therefore, they carry these behaviors into adulthood.  
• They are more likely to have suicidal thoughts – Those who witness domestic violence are six times more likely to commit suicide. ** They may experience feelings of guilt and shame, which can contribute to symptoms of depression and increase the risk of suicidal thoughts.
• They have trouble bonding with others – Children learn how to relate to others from watching their parents. If their parents do not display a healthy relationship, this can cause issues when it comes to forming peer and romantic relationships into adulthood. 

 If you or someone you know is dealing with long-term effects from witnessing domestic violence, seek emotional support through:

• Self-help support groups
• Assertiveness training
• Self-esteem and confidence building
• Counseling

To speak with an advocate and learn more about services at Beacon of Hope Crisis Center please call our crisis line (317) 731-6140. We are here to help.
 
*cdv.org
**domesticshelters.org

By The Beacon of Hope Team

Starting this Friday!  February 24, 2017!  8:00 P.M.!

This is an online fundraising competition set up as brackets just like basketball season’s March Madness, only with non-profits being able to access a wide range of online fundraising tools for each agency to use and personalize!
 
In order to stay in the competition and move to the next round we need help from ALL of our supporters!

Not sure how Brackets for Good works?  Check out this video:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jskPh8hBh_8

How can you help Beacon of Hope?  First we need you to go to https://indianapolis.bfg.org and set up your donor profile as soon as possible; now, today if you have a couple minutes.  Then ON THE 24TH text the “Free Throw Code” to the number BFG gives you and Lids will donate $3 automatically to us!  Remember you need to text on Friday, February 24, 2017.
 
Next we really need your financial support too! If all of our supporters can donate at the suggested level of $50 each we can raise enough “Points” (or Dollars $$) and move on to Round 2 of the Tournament!  Regardless of the dollar amount you are able to contribute we appreciate your support at any level.

Make sure you ask your friends and family to join our team and give to Beacon of Hope Crisis Center.  Be sure to share on all of your social media accounts also.  You can help us so much just by sharing and asking others to join in supporting us. 

Thank you in advance for your support and may many blessings come your way!

Use the hashtags #BFG17, #BFGIndy,  #teamBOH when posting about giving and why Beacon of Hope is your choice this year.

By Sandra K. Ziebold

Our Foster Pet Program helps victims leave their abusers.  Victims do not want to leave their pets behind and when safe shelter doesn’t allow pets to come along our program temporarily safely provides for pets.  The program consists of volunteer host families who agree to temporarily house pets while the victim is getting the help needed. This is a major barrier for many victims that need to leave their violent situation.  When pets are used by abusers to control the primary victim often those pets need medical attention and with the help of our partners we provide whatever is needed for them.  Our program is committed to supporting the needs of those who have been affected by violence.