title: Children's exposure to intimate partner violence: an overview.
abstract: Children's exposure to intimate partner violence (IPV) is associated with significant emotional impairment and other harmful effects. It is increasingly recognized as a type of child maltreatment, with outcomes similar to other types of abuse and neglect. Children can experience harm from exposure to IPV, even when not directly involved in, or a witness to, the violence between caregivers. This review, based on a synthesis of best available evidence, addresses the epidemiology of children's exposure to IPV, including prevalence, risk and protective factors, and associated impairment, as well as strategies for identification, and interventions for prevention of exposure and impairment. Strategies for ensuring children's safety are also discussed. The article concludes with guidance specific to mental health clinicians.
authors.affiliation: a Departments of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences and of Pediatrics , McMaster University , Hamilton , ON , Canada.
authors.forename: Jill R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: McTavish
authors.affiliation: b Faculty of Information & Media Studies , Western University , London , ON , Canada.
authors.forename: Jen C D
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: MacGregor
authors.affiliation: b Faculty of Information & Media Studies , Western University , London , ON , Canada.
authors.forename: C Nadine
authors.initials: CN
authors.lastname: Wathen
authors.affiliation: c Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences , McMaster University , Hamilton , ON , Canada.
authors.forename: Harriet L
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: MacMillan
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002649:Child Abuse / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000069581:Exposure to Violence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D000066511:Intimate Partner Violence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
keywords: Children’s exposure to intimate partner violence; child maltreatment; children’s witnessing domestic violence; evidence-based review