Baltimore County developing questionnaire to study effects of domestic violence on children

A group of experts from Johns Hopkins University, the University of Minnesota, and the social services department of Baltimore County, Maryland have teamed together to develop a questionnaire to quantify the impact of domestic violence on
children.

It is estimated that between 10 and 20 percent of children nationwide are currently exposed to domestic violence.

Dr. Jacquelyn Campbell, a professor at the Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing who is involved in the project, said research indicates that a child's exposure to domestic violence can cause both mental and physical health problems, including anxiety, depression, and aggressive behavior.
According to the Baltimore Sun, the goal of the questionnaire is to allow social workers to pinpoint children who are at significant risk of such mental and physical health problems, and provide them with counseling services. Additionally, it will allow social workers to identify parents in need of shelters or offender programs.

A $17,600 grant from the Maryland Governor's Office of Crime Control and Prevention is paying for the project. Officials
plan to complete the project in September.

At that time, about 40 social workers will be trained on facilitating the questionnaire to children involved in the child welfare system. Questions may include whether the child has ever been involved physically in a domestic alteracation, whether the police have ever been called to his or her home.