The silent victims of domestic violence--who will speak?

Abstract

Topic: Children who witness domestic violence are themselves victims of abuse. Unless directly abused, they are often overlooked and do not receive adequate services.

Purpose: The authors contend that helping professionals as well as the state must attend to the ethical principles of beneficence, autonomy, and justice in dealing with these children. Children, who witness violence at home, must receive top priority in the allocation of scarce resources.

Sources: Published literature, clinical experience.

Conclusion: Diagnostic screening and assessment efforts must incorporate standard questions about family violence into all mental health and school counseling interviews. Sensitive intervention and referral, linking victims and witnesses with intervention specialists, will do much to limit the sequelae often seen with family violence. Nurses must advocate for and support primary prevention programs in elementary and secondary school systems.