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Domestic violence can lead to child abuse
"When a woman is being abused, there's a greater likelihood of child abuse. Some of our girls have been sexually abused as well."-- Jackie Johnson, the children's services supervisor for Harmony House
11:00 PM, Jan. 14, 2012
Written by Sarah Okeson
News-Leader
Research shows a strong link between domestic violence and child abuse.
Various studies show that in 30 to 60 percent of families where there is woman battering or child maltreatment it is likely that both forms of abuse exist.
That's according to Jeffrey Edleson, a University of Minnesota professor and authority on children exposed to domestic violence.
Jackie Johnson, the children's services supervisor for Harmony House, said she's seen this in some of the children she cares for.
"When a woman is being abused, there's a greater likelihood of child abuse," Johnson said. "Some of our girls have been sexually abused as well."
Researchers have found that the children are also more likely to be abused in larger families. Abused mothers might, in turn, abuse their children.
Florida psychologist Lenore Walker, who has studied battered women extensively, found that battered women were eight times more likely to use harsh discipline on their children while living with the abuser.
"They're much more likely to use abusive techniques than when they're not in abusive relationships,"
Walker said. "I think there's just a sense of desperation to get the kids quiet or do whatever the batterer wants them to do."
Johnson said mothers sometimes come to her for advice in how to discipline their children. She showed one mom how she encouraged the children when it was time to pick up toys by singing a song.
Kendall Seal, an attorney for Legal Services of Southern Missouri, said if the Springfield community wants to get serious about chid abuse, it needs to confront domestic violence.
Seal said, "If we're not dealing with the family unit where we know there's violence, are we really that surprised when children end up dead or battered or used as pawns?"