Seattle 911 Call Sheds Light On Domestic Abuse’s Affect On Children

A call to Seattle Police from an 8-year-old boy has many Washington State residents thinking about the long-term affects of domestic violence – both for the direct victims and for the children who witness abuse.

“My mom’s boyfriend is tackling here, and she’s pregnant,” the boy told the 911 operator. “He’s trying to hurt her badly. Hurry.”

In this case, authorities rushed to the scene and got both the boy and his mother to safety before arresting the abuser for assault. Still, domestic abuse experts say that even though children might be saved from abusive situations, the affects of seeing and experiencing abuse can last a lifetime. In fact, boys who see abuse are more likely to become abusers themselves when they enter into relationships, and girls who observe abuse are also more likely to either be abused or abusers.

If you need assistance because of a domestic abuse or family violence situation, take advantage of Seattle’s many resources for domestic abuse victims, such as the 24-hour Domestic Violence Hotline: (800) 827-8840.