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Children exposed to IPV may experience harmful traumatic stress and need support to foster their resiliency and wellbeing. [4]  In response, there is a growing movement to meet children’s needs through the use of Trauma- and Violence- Informed (TVI) approaches.

In this Issue, we share information about TVI approaches to supporting children exposed to IPV. We do so by taking an intersectional lens that recognizes the diversity of experiences that children exposed to IPV can have. [6]  These differing experiences can affect understandings of violence, if and how help is sought, and interactions with service providers and systems (e.g. child welfare, justice).

It is important to note that not all children living with IPV experience negative adjustment following exposure, and that no child should be defined by the violence and trauma they experienced. Children are complex whole beings with different temperaments, relationships, family and community values, interests, and so much more. TVI approaches encourage us to recognize that every child is capable of health, resilience, and growth following trauma, while respecting and validating that many children are struggling to navigate the impacts of their experiences. 

Potential Impacts of Children’s Exposure to IPV

Insights from research, practice, and lived experience indicate that exposure to IPV can have a variety of short-term and long-term impacts on children. When this exposure is ongoing, especially across developmental stages, there can be a cumulative effect which increases the emotional, physical, and social toll on children. [7]

Some potential impacts are shared below:

Structural violence (e.g. colonialism, ableism, cisnormativity, heteronormativity, racism, xenophobia) and intergenerational trauma compound the impacts of exposure to IPV. For instance, intergenerational trauma related to colonization (past and present) continues to have devastating implications for Indigenous children, families, and communities across Canada.

Children living with IPV may also be exposed to further adversities (e.g. poverty and homelessness, [23]  destruction of property, [24]  abuse of their companion animals, [25]  physical and sexual abuse [26]).  Not surprisingly, living with multiple adversities results in a cumulative burden on the health and well-being of children across the life course. [27]

In extreme IPV situations, children's lives may be at risk; some are killed; others may be present during the homicide of their mother or other family members. Whether present or learning later what happened, children are left with the loss and trauma resulting from domestic homicide.   Learn more:  The   Canadian Domestic Homicide Prevention Initiative  shares research on risk assessment, risk management, and safety planning for children exposed to domestic violence.

Trauma- and violence- informed approaches seek to recognize and address the impacts exposure to IPV has on children.

Working with Children Exposed to IPV Using Trauma- and Violence- Informed Approaches

Understanding childhood trauma and the associated health and social consequences necessitates a multi-faceted approach to addressing trauma guided by Trauma- and Violence- Informed (TVI) approaches. The concept of trauma-informed approaches emerged through the work of researchers, practitioners, and advocates. [28]  Being trauma-informed requires that one “ realizes  the widespread impact of trauma and understands potential paths for recovery;   recognizes  the signs and symptoms of trauma in clients, families, staff, and others involved with the system; and   responds  by fully integrating knowledge about trauma into policies, procedures, and practices, and seeks to actively resist   re-traumatization.” [29]

The Adverse Childhood Experiences Study:

This groundbreaking study helped shape our understanding of the links between early childhood trauma and long-term health and social implications. It found that adverse childhood experiences or “ACEs” (e.g. exposure to IPV, physical and emotional abuse, neglect) are quite common, and that there is a strong correlation between the number of ACEs experienced in childhood and the number of poor outcomes experienced later in life (e.g. heart disease, depression, substance abuse, poor academic achievement).   Learn more:   Click here  for a talk by Nadine Burke Harris on how childhood trauma affects health across the lifecourse.