The impact of exposure to domestic violence in childhood

Abstract

In this chapter, I examine the literature to explore two key questions: 1. Is it only fathers/stepfathers who expose children to parental intimate violence (EIPV) as you might assume based on many ACE (Adverse Childhood Experiences) survey questions? and 2. Is there evidence to suggest a differential impact of EIPV on boys and girls? Following a rapid evidence assessment, 15 papers were reviewed. Based on this review, I conclude that EIPV can come via father's, mother's or both parents’ perpetration. There is currently no empirically supported reason to conclude that men are more likely to expose their children to IPV than are women. Additionally, there is no support for sex-differences in adult outcomes of EIPV in terms of the likelihood that any exposed child would become an adult victim or perpetrator of IPV themselves.