Children Exposed to Domestic Abuse Generally Feel:

Anger

• towards the abuser
• towards the victim who is accused of "causing" the abuse
• towards the victim who is seen as too weak to protect herself or them

Guilt

• that they have caused the violence, fighting, separation
• for their unhappiness and that of their parents
• that they could control the violence if they were only a "better" child

Fear

• of being abandoned
• of never knowing when the abuse may occur again
• that their parents would get back together
• it might get worse for their family

Loneliness

• afraid or not allowed to have friends over in case their parents fight
• wanting to have fun with friends, but afraid to be away from the victim in case she "needs help"

Sadness

• in having to live in an unhappy home