Any violence in the home, whether it is directed at the children or not, can lead to the following behaviors and characteristics:

• Isolation
• Doesn't invite other children over
• Aggressive/acting out behavior
• Withdraw from adults as well as peers
• May be a "model child" due to extreme desire to achieve perfection
• May become involved with drugs or alcohol
• Run away
• Mood swings
• Divulges little information about family
• May make up stories (paint an unrealistic "pretty picture" of their family)
• Loses respect for the mother
• Poor concentration
• Sudden change in school performance
• Take responsibility for the abuse
• Constant anxiety that another beating will occur
• Guilt for not being able to stop the abuse or from loving the abuser
• Fear of abandonment

How children feel when abuse occurs between parents:

• Powerless - they can't stop the abuse
• Guilty - believing that they somehow caused the abuse
• Angry - at the abuser for hurting the victim
• Angry - at the victim for staying in the situation
• Helpless - they feel a need to help solve the problem, but only end up getting hurt when they try to help
• Confused - parents may try to get children to chose sides
• Afraid - for themselves and all family members
• Isolated and insecure - often making excuses so they don't have to go home
• Dishonest and embarassed - they make up excuses to family and friends
• Overwhelmed - by the situation, often leading to poor school performance and avoiding friends