The Effects of Intimate Partner Violence on Children: Navigating Therapeutic Assessment and Intervention

Abstract

Over 5 million American children are estimated to be exposed to intimate partner violence (IPV) annually. The past decade has seen a surge in research, assessment, and related interventions regarding children and violence. Contemporary practice guidelines continue to expand relative to the wide range of violence that a child might be exposed to, particularly noting that children who have experienced one type of violence, such as physical abuse, are at great risk for also experiencing other forms of violence. Effects on children exposed to IPV are potentially catastrophic and can be influenced, by not only the number of exposures, but also the protective factors that are available to a child when violence is encountered. Treatment should be individualized and appropriate for the developmental level of the child. It is also essential to identify and include the child’s non-abusive parent into the process to support the child and related treatment