Vocab
Events that are terrifying, shocking, sudden, and potentially threatening to life and safety are also called _______
Trauma
True or False: Our thoughts impact our feelings and behaviors.
True. Our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are all connected. Having healthier thoughts about our experiences can have a positive impact on our feelings and behaviors.
True or False: Domestic violence does not occur in well-educated families.
False. Domestic violence impacts people of all ages, races, religions, financial statuses, sexual orientations, gender identities, and education (NCTSN).
True or False: Everyone experiences the same exact feelings about their trauma.
False. People have different emotional experiences of their trauma.
True or False: After witnessing domestic violence you may feel more easily startled, jumpy, or nervous.
True. This is called hyperarousal and is a common reaction in the body after experiencing a traumatic event.
What is it called when someone purposely causes harm or threatens the risk of harm to any past or current partner or spouse
Domestic Violence
True. These are sometimes called thought problems. However, with practice you can change your thoughts!
True or False: Domestic violence only involves physical harm.
False. Domestic violence can be physical, sexual, financial, verbal, and/or emotional (NCTSN).
True or false: Children never feel blame or guilt after witnessing domestic violence.
False. Blame and guilt are common feelings after witnessing domestic violence. Sometimes children feel like it was their fault or that they could have done something to stop the violence. However, it is never the child's fault and it is not their responsibility to prevent or stop the violence.
True or false: People may have trouble going to sleep, staying asleep, or may even have nightmares after a traumatic experience
True
What are rules and limits we set for ourselves in relationships?
Boundaries.
True or false: Trauma may impact how a person views themselves.
True. Someone may believe that the trauma was their fault and it may impact their self-esteem.
True or False: Domestic violence is never a child's fault.
True. It is the abusive person's responsibility. Violence is an adult problem and it is not your fault or responsibility (NCTSN).
Name 3 feelings someone may experience after witnessing domestic violence.
Shame
Guilt
Sadness
Worry
Anger
Confusion
Numb
People may continue to see or relive images, sensations, or memories of the domestic violence despite trying to put them out of their mind.
True. This is called reexperiencing and is another common reaction to trauma.
What is it called when we try to steer clear from situations, people, and reminders associated with the violence, or try not to think or talk about it
Avoidance
How might witnessing domestic violence impact how we view others and the world?
Witnessing domestic violence may make people view others as untrustworthy or unable to protect us and the world as unsafe and unpredictable.
True or False: There are many reasons why a child may not tell a trusted adult about domestic violence in their home.
True. Children may be afraid that the abuse will worsen if they tell someone. They may believe that no one will help them or be able to protect them. Children may also worry that telling about the domestic violence will lead to their parent getting into trouble or being removed from their parents.
True or False: It is normal for a child to have conflicted feelings towards both of their parents after witnessing domestic violence.
True. "Children who have witnessed domestic violence often have confused and contradictory feelings. They may worry about the safety of the parent who has been abused. They may also worry that their parents won’t be able to protect them. They may see the parent who was abusive as generous and loving some of the time, and terrifying and dangerous at other times. They may even blame the abused parent for causing the abuse that led to separation from the other parent" (The National Child Traumatic Stress Network)
Name 2 symptoms someone may experience after witnessing domestic violence
Anxiety
Depression
Aggression
Physical symptoms such as headaches, stomach aches
Nightmares, trouble sleeping
Tantrums
Experiencing guilt/blame
Difficulty concentrating or completing school work
Reexperiencing (flashbacks)
What are trauma reminders?
people, places, things, situations, anniversaries, or even feelings that remind someone of their trauma (National Child Traumatic Stress Network)
True or false: Witnessing domestic violence may change how people view relationships.
True. They may learn that it is ok to try to control another person’s behavior or feelings, or to use violence to get what they want. They may learn that hurtful behavior is somehow part of being close or being loved (NCTSN).
True or false: 1 in 7 children witness domestic violence in their homes.
True. According to the Childhood Domestic Violence Association, 15 million children in the U.S. experience childhood domestic violence.
What is it called when someone feels numb, frozen, or shut down, or may feel and act as if cut off from normal life and other people.
Withdrawal
Name one way a survivor may try to avoid trauma reminders.
They may try to avoid people, places, situations, sensations or feelings that remind them of the trauma.
Avoid talking about the trauma.
Try to push out thoughts related to their trauma