Domestic violence is a pattern of behavior that one person in a relationship uses to control the other. The behavior may be verbally, emotionally, physically, financially, or sexually abusive. NCTSN in partnership with Futures without Violence has developed Children and Domestic Violence, 10 fact sheets for parents who may have left—or still be in—an abusive relationship. The fact sheets help families living with domestic violence or its aftermath to learn the following:

• How they can get help for themselves or someone else in a domestic crisis

• How they may see their children react to domestic violence

• How they can best help their children to feel safe and valued

• How they can help children to develop personal strength

The Children and Domestic Violence fact sheets not only give information, but also specific, hands-on strategies for parents to make and keep their children safe, to help them explore their feelings and share their experiences, to talk to children about domestic violence, to make the most of children’s playtime, to stay connected to preteens and teens, to appropriately comfort and soothe children’s fears, to manage children’s tantrums and aggression, to aid children in an ongoing relationship with an abusive parent, to get more help for your child if things are not improving, and to learn to take handle stress and to come up with a plan for self-care.
#1--How Does Domestic Violence Affect Children?
#2--Celebrating Your Child’s Strengths
#3--Before You Talk to Your Children: How Your Feelings Matter
#4--Listening and Talking to Your Child About Domestic Violence
#5--The Importance of Playing with Your Children
#6--Keeping Your Children Safe and Responding to Their Fears
#7--Managing Challenging Behavior of Children Living with Domestic Violence
#8--Where to Turn if You Are Worried About Your Child
#9--Helping Your Child Navigate a Relationship with the Abusive Parent
#10--A Parent’s Self-Care and Self-Reflection