How to respond to domestic violence against children

Children are the most vulnerable category of persons who can be victims of domestic violence the inability to defend themselves independently. The lack of social experience leads to the inability for them to assess the violence against them as such. In this sense, children - victims of domestic violence, are very rarely able to complain.

A child within the meaning of the law is any natural person under the age of 18 and may benefit from the protection provided by the Law on Protection from Domestic Violence (ZZDN).

Domestic Violence is any act of physical, sexual, psychological, emotional or economic violence, as well as the attempt of such violence. The forced restriction of privacy, personal freedom and personal rights, committed against persons who are in a kinship relationship, who are or have been in a family relationship or are in a de facto marital cohabitation.

Any domestic violence committed in the presence of a child is also considered psychological and emotional abuse of a child.

Domestic violence takes various forms and can be observed as an act of physical, emotional or sexual abuse, as well as neglect by their parents.There is four types of neglect: physical, educational, health and emotional.

Signs that indicate the presence of domestic violence against children

For a child to develop and grow up in a fulfilling and safe environment, it is necessary to meet not only their physical needs, but also their emotional ones. In addition to the need for clothing, a home and food, every child also needs love, understanding, comfort, respect, encouragement and support, patience and growing up in a family environment free from violence.

Even if the violence is not directed at them directly, children become victims of domestic violence when they witness it and it is committed in their presence. They can hear what is happening in the next room and parents may think that it remains hidden and misunderstood. However, this is almost impossible, as children feel the stress and suffering of their parents.

Children exposed to violence may develop symptoms such as guilt, anxiety, fear, loneliness, aggressiveness, closedness to the world around them, low self-esteem, etc.

Who should you contact?

Child protection is carried out through various institutions – State Agency for Child Protection, the bodies of the Ministry of Interior, the Social Assistance Directorate, mayors of municipalities and others.

Any victim of domestic violence may file an application with the district court at their permanent or current address. The measures that the court may impose are:

• obliging the perpetrator to refrain from committing
  domestic violence;
• removal of the perpetrator from the shared residence
  housing for the period determined by the court;
• prohibition of the perpetrator from approaching the victim,
  the victim's home, workplace, and places of social contact and recreation
  person under conditions and term determined by the court;
• temporary determination of the child's place of residence in
  the injured parent or the parent who did not commit the violence, in
  conditions and term determined by the court, if this does not conflict with the interests of
  the child;
• obliging the perpetrator of violence to attend
  specialized programs;
• referral of victims to programs for
  recovery.

The listed measures are imposed for a certain period of time. It is important to note that the application must be submitted within one month of the act of domestic violence.

The injured person may submit a request to an authority of Ministry of Interior and an urgent protection measure should be imposed if there is a real danger to life or health.

In addition to the injured child, any parent, guardian, custodian or other person may request and receive assistance from the listed authorities.

How to prove domestic violence?

In order to receive any protection from the court, when filing an application for the imposition of a measure, the person must prove that they are a victim of domestic violence and that it has actually been committed against them.

Finding witnesses to confirm the domestic violence would have a positive impact. The parent (who is not the perpetrator) or relatives of the child, a schoolmate, or even a neighbor - when a third party confirms the victim's allegations, her chances of receiving a more restrictive measure increase.

In conclusion

Talking and listening to children will help them express their feelings and share their emotions. Domestic violence against children would have lasting consequences on their future lives. As difficult as it may be, help should be sought immediately to avoid a fatal outcome or negative impact on the child victim of domestic violence.