Sara Safa, Political Science& Psychology
Advisor: Patrick Carr, Sociology & Criminal Justice
This project reviews the effects and frequencies of child exposure to Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) for the purpose of raising awareness and understanding the detrimental outcomes that can result. For this study I conducted a synthetic literature review on the subject of child exposure to IPV and I analyze the frequencies of exposure from the combined 2016 and 2017 National Survey of Children’s Health (NSCH). Specifically, I investigate what the effects of child exposure to IPV are, and how exposure to IPV varies according to the child’s age, gender, family structure, household income, and race/ethnicity. I find that while there are variations in exposure according to the characteristics of age, gender, and race/ethnicity, the most striking variations are found in child exposure on the basis of household income and family structure. Overall, a significant number of children that are exposed to IPV come from poor and non-intact families. These children often experience many adverse effects that can extend into adulthood. It is critical that we pay greater attention to this issue and increased social supports are necessary in order to help provide the services needed to help at risk children overcome the effects of IPV.