Domestic violence isn’t something that is talked about often, as it’s typically seen as an issue that must be handled by the victim. Avoiding this topic has led to an epidemic in the U.S. that approximately affects 1 in 4 women and 1 in 9 men in their lifetime (CDC, NISVS 2010). The general definition of this type of abuse isn’t limited to just physical but can expand to psychological, spiritual, and even digital abuse. Although these initial statistics may occur only once in a lifetime and seem insignificant, it’s important to consider not just the long-term mental and/or physical consequences but also the harmful exposure experienced by those who witness them secondhand.  

Children and teens who live in households that experience domestic violence are likely to subconsciously carry and develop negative side effects as a result of having an unstable home. For many, these can range from short-term reactions like anxiety, abrupt hostility, fatigue, stomach aches, a weakened immune system, and more (American SPCC). Long-term effects include anxiety, depression, PTSD, internal guilt, and how they form intimate relationships based on what they believe to be “normal”. Additionally, these behaviors can unfortunately be passed down unintentionally from generation to generation if long-term issues aren’t addressed, which can create a cycle of trauma to continue, according to the non-profit Child Protective Group Network organization. Ultimately, the age at which someone experiences this abuse and the lengths to which they were crossed can affect which types of symptoms and signs they may end up bearing “far beyond their age” (Office on Women’s Health).

On a closer examination, in the state of Colorado, DV isn’t uncommon; Over the years, Colorado has seen a drop in homicide rates, except for DV fatalities. DV fatalities have increased by up to 24% in 2024 (Violence Free Colorado). DV cases tend to be disproportionately higher in rural areas of Colorado, where resources such as safe housing options, trained law enforcement, and trained psychologists aren’t as prevalent. With DV criminal cases, children are sometimes direct victims of not just common side effects but fatal collateral damage as a result of a deadly firearm. From 2021 - 2024, “Children accounted for more than half of all collateral fatalities,” (Colorado Attorney General), which were all done through the use of a firearm. These unfortunate deaths come from conditions that could have been prevented through the right people or policies if properly handled. 

We can start by assessing who is committing these crimes…Have they been arrested for a violent offense before? Have they been convicted and set free with minimal corrective action? Is there room for improvement, or are there any issues that our Colorado court system might not catch? Being able to ask yourself these questions allows you to think more critically and assess if there’s someone, regardless of age, in danger of domestic violence. Since 1974, the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act, also known as CAPTA, has allowed us citizens to take more action by reporting anyone we suspect of committing child abuse or neglect. Although this law hasn’t always worked perfectly, it has paved the way for more community members to speak up and become more aware of anyone who might be a victim of DV. Furthermore, reviewing certain law enforcement policies, such as the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), which gives officers the right to intervene and make an arrest on the basis of probable cause, is another topic of concern worth looking into. The ability for officers to intervene in a valid case of domestic violence is valuable, but it begins to take a turn when the victims of a domestic abuser are also arrested themselves in a twist of events called “Dual Arrest”. Dual arrest is a form of enforcement that’s permitted by several states when officers can’t identify a primary aggressor. However, dual arrests have been shown to be more damaging than helpful for not only the victim but also the children involved, as CPS services tend to take over soon after to ensure they have someone who can look out for them. Although these cases aren’t easy for our first responders to handle, I believe that reviewing certain training protocols and policies towards reducing dual arrests can have a more beneficial effect for everyone involved than the other way around. Following my previous claim, pushing for more awareness and action against domestic violence can allow for more federal funding to occur, which can then lead to a decrease in DV cases in our nation. According to the U.S. Dept of Justice, organizations like the Office on Violence Against Women have helped to federally fund police, judges, and social workers on domestic violence training programs and other trauma-informed responses. By providing our judges, officers, and social workers with more resources, such as funding, we can expect to see higher-quality work and interventions throughout our nation. 

As of now, there’s still plenty of work we can begin. According to the CDC, something as simple as building a safe and nurturing relationship between an adolescent and a caregiver is a significant milestone in deterring future violence from occurring. If you or you know someone who is experiencing domestic violence directly, there are certain programs and help lines in place that can help guide children or parents not only on how to cope with but break loose from a harmful relationship and instead prioritize one with a trusted adult (CDC - Resource for Action). Many other organizations tend to these cases and other issues; however, our justice system can continue to improve despite the many hurdles it faces. From addressing certain law enforcement policies to increasing funding and providing more opportunities to first-line responders, our communities can gain better trust and a possible chance of having a successful future, rather than falling victim to domestic violence.