In an national survey of over 6,000 American families, 50 per cent of the men who frequently assaulted their wives also frequently abused their children. Child abuse is 15 times more likely to occur in families where domestic violence is present. Men who have witnessed their parents' domestic violence are three times more likely to abuse their own wives than children of non- violent parents being 1000 times more likely to become wife beaters. Children who witness violence at home display emotional and behavioral disturbances as diverse as withdrawal, low self-esteem, nightmares, self-blame and aggression against peers, family members and property. A comparison of delinquent and non-delinquent youth found that a history of family violence or abuse is the most significant difference between the two groups. Over 3 million children are at risk of exposure to parental violence each year. Taken from www.famvi.com/othersts.htm

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