Picture a 6-year-old child lying in bed at night, trying to fall asleep. Suddenly, they are abruptly awakened by yelling or breaking glass. Or, worse, the unmistakable sound of violence as their parents fight. This is not a scene from a movie, but the reality for thousands of children in Utah and across the United States who experience domestic violence right in their own home. These young children are silent victims of abuse; they are left with the psychological scars of witnessing domestic violence. These scars can last a lifetime.
In Utah, one in three women will experience domestic violence in her lifetime, according to the Utah Domestic Violence Coalition. Although it is now widely acknowledged that adult survivors deserve a trauma-informed response and support, we often overlook the children who are caught in the crossfire. It is not just distressing for children to witness domestic violence; it is trauma that interrupts a child’s emotional, cognitive and physical development.
It is well documented that children who witness domestic violence are at greater risk for depression, anxiety, PTSD, decreased academic performance and future involvement in violent relationships as victims or perpetrators. As the National Child Traumatic Stress Network notes, children who have experienced domestic violence may show aggressive or withdrawn behavior and may struggle with attachment and emotional regulation.
Despite all these terrible consequences, there’s not a strong statewide infrastructure to meet the needs of these vulnerable children. While shelters and crisis lines provide services for victims, there are few programs specifically directed at early intervention and therapeutic services for children who live in these homes. We need to recognize that maintaining children’s rights to well-being means working to address the entire impact of domestic violence — not just physical abuse but the emotional effects as well.
In many states, including Utah, DCFS operates under narrow legal definitions of abuse and neglect, often excluding children who are “only” witnesses. An audit by the Utah Office of the Legislative Auditor General found that DCFS case workers faced inconsistent guidelines and were often unsure how to respond to domestic violence situations. The report stated: “There is a lack of clear policies regarding how exposure to domestic violence should be assessed and addressed in child welfare cases.”
Some progress has been made. In 2023, Utah lawmakers introduced legislation aimed at improving domestic violence training for DCFS caseworkers and law enforcement. But training alone is not enough. We need systemic change that recognizes the full scope of harm caused by domestic violence and places children’s emotional and psychological safety at the forefront of protective services.
Additionally, Utah needs to put funding towards training educators and social service professionals to recognize signs of child trauma related to domestic violence. Teachers are often the first adults outside of the family circle or the law to notice behavioral changes; however, many don’t know how to respond. Funding the professional development of trauma-informed practices in schools (and having mental health professionals in schools) should be a legislative priority.
Houses of worship can serve as access points for education, advocacy and resources. Domestic violence flourishes in silence; safe and informed conversations break silence and can change and save lives.
Utah has taken steps to address domestic violence, but our work is far from over, and we must prioritize children. We cannot continue to let children be invisible casualties of domestic violence in homes. Protecting children is not just a family issue; it is a community responsibility.
Let us be a state that protects victims and supports the healing and resilience of the youngest and most vulnerable group of the population. Every child deserves to grow up in a home where they feel safe, not scared.