How Domestic Violence Affects Your Children
By Dickson Tumuramye The recent tragic incident involving Ugandan athlete Rebecca Cheptegai has once again brought to light the devastating impact of domestic violence, not only on women but also on children. Rebecca and her ex-boyfriend Dickson Ndiema lost their lives in a violent altercation, with Rebecca leaving behind two young daughters who are now orphans. This heartbreaking event underscores the profound and long-lasting consequences of domestic violence on children. Domestic violence manifests in various forms; physical, social, sexual, emotional, spiritual, and financial, cutting across all demographics regardless of age, status, education level, race, or ethnicity. It often occurs within intimate relationships such as couples, family members, or between boyfriends and girlfriends, wreaking havoc on marriages and destabilizing families. Emotional and Psychological Impact Children exposed to domestic violence experience a range of emotional and psychological traumas.