In every country across the world, millions of children and young people (CYP) are being exposed to intimate partner violence (IPV) involving one or more of their caregivers or parents. IPV is a form of family violence, that refers to any behaviour by an intimate partner or ex-partner that results in physical, sexual or psychological harm, and includes physical aggression, psychological abuse and controlling, coercive behaviours. It can occur in any relationship regardless of gender or sexual orientation, although women, transgender and gender non-binary persons are at increased risk of experiencing IPV.1

Children’s exposure to IPV has high human and economic costs. Children living in abusive households are at increased risk of negative physical and emotional health and educational outcomes across their lifespan.2–4  The pain and suffering experienced by Canadian children as a result of IPV committed in one year (2009) was estimated to be associated with an economic cost of $235.2 million,5 although the costs of the impact on children are likely to be much higher when the financial impact of responding to children and families is taken into consideration.  More recent data from the US estimates the lifetime costs associated with children’s exposure to IPV in any given year as $55 billion, related to increased costs due to higher use of healthcare, increased crime and lost productivity.6

The scale and impact of this issue necessitates an effective response for children and their families. A comprehensive response includes prevention of IPV from occurring in the first place, detection of and early response to children’s exposure to IPV to prevent recurrence, and support to limit or prevent ill effects once a child has experienced it.7 Below is a summary of what is known in relation to each part of the response to children, as well as gaps in knowledge, evidence, and practice.

Read the full paper about children and intimate violence by Emma Howarth at Encyclopedia on Early Childhood Development.