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compromised by the abusive, controlling behavior of the batterer. 1. PERPETRATORS TRAUMATIZE CHILDREN IN THE PROCESS OF BATTERING THEIR ADULT PARTNERS Perpetrators of domestic violence traumatize and terrorize children in four ways: a. By intentionally injuring the children as a way of threatening and controlling the victim (e.g., a child is used as a physical weapon against the victim by being thrown at the victim or a child is physically or sexually abused as a way to coerce the victim to do certain things); b. By unintentionally injuring the children during the attack on the abused parent when the child gets caught in the fight or attempts to intervene (e.g., an infant is injured when the mother is pushed against the wall while holding the child; a small child is kicked when trying to stop the perpetrator’s attack against the victim); c. By creating an environment where children witness the abuse or its effects. Research reveals that children who witness domestic violence are affected in the same way as children who are physically and sexually abused (Goodman & Rosenberg, 1987). In spite of what perpetrators may say, children have often either directly witnessed the physical and psychological assaults or have indirectly witnessed it by overhearing the episodes or by seeing the aftermath of the injuries and property damage; and d. By using the children to coercively control the abused partner while the victim is living with the perpetrator and when the partners are separated.

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