Children witnessing violence causes intergenerational trauma

The fact that children are martyred even though they are not directly subjected to violence creates a basis for sleep disorders, developmental disorders, aggression and anxiety.

Emphasizing that violence against women is the most common violation of human rights, Clinical Psychologist Aleyna Damla Özcan said, “The perpetrators of violence against women continue to exist in the social environment we live in, in our work life or on the roads we pass every day, in short, on one side of our lives. For this very reason, violence involves not only the women who are subjected to violence, but also their children, their families and the society in which they exist.”

Emphasizing that witnessing violence can have troubling consequences for children both in the short and long term, Özcan said, “Violence against women is always and under all circumstances violence against children. Although children are not directly subjected to violence, witnessing violence can lead to sleep disorders, developmental disorders, aggression and anxiety in children. In addition, some children who observe violence and its consequences may code violence as a way to resolve conflicts. This situation and coding not only perpetuates the cycle of violence in the society, but it is also subconsciously transferred to women who are subjected to violence and their children as 'intergenerational trauma'.” Özcan said, “Regardless of the type of violence; fear, confusion, anger, numbness and many other emotional complexities accompany the process. Some women may even feel guilt and shame for being subjected to violence. Social isolation, loss of interest in pleasurable activities, and low self-perception are among the most common symptoms of violence against women. Post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety disorders, and alcohol and substance use disorders are other mental disorders that can be experienced by women following violence. After a frightening and shocking event, people with post-traumatic stress disorder may be easily startled, experience sudden bursts of anger and have difficulty sleeping. From time to time, we may even see that people have difficulty remembering some scenes related to or independent of the event.”