Caught In The Middle

Every 15 seconds a woman is battered in the U.S. by her husband, boyfriend or live-in partner.

It is estimated that each year a minimum of 3.3 million children witness domestic violence.

More than 53% of male abusers beat their children.

Children in homes where domestic violence occurs are physically abused or seriously neglected at a rate of 1500% higher than the national average in the general population.

Children living with domestic violence feel:

• Powerlessness: By not being able to stop the abuse and violence from happening against their mother or themselves.
• Guilty: For loving the abuser and by blaming themselves for causing the abuse.
• Angry: At the abuser for hurting them and their family
• Confused: By having mixed feelings of love/hate towards the abuser. Not understanding why the abuser does this when he claims to love mom and the family. Not understanding why mom stays. By parents trying to get children to choose sides.
• Afraid: For their safety and their mother's safety. Of getting hurt. Of losing someone they love. Of abandonment.
• Isolated: By feeling alone; that this is only happening to their family.
• Anxious: Due to constantly worrying because of the uncertainty of when another beating will occur to mom when the abuser is mad.
• Sad: This this is happening to them. That their mom keeps getting hurt. Wishing for the abuse to stop.
• Ashamed: Of the secrets in their home.

Even if you don't work directly with children, you CAN make a difference. Domestic violence is not only a family problem, but a social problem.

Watch for behavior changes or signs in children who may be "caught in the middle" of domestic violence.

Report to local police any time you suspect/witness domestic violence.

Be supportive and empathetic to any child who is experiencing/disclosing domestic violence.

Volunteer at your local battered women's program to work with children and their mothers.

Help break the cycle and silence of domestic violence so that future children won't be "caught in the middle"

God bless you richly,

Janis Erickson
The Refuge Ministry
Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Send article to a Friend Print article