An Unspoken Epidemic: Childhood Domestic Violence

NEW YORK, Oct. 14, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Brian F. Martin, Founder of Children of Domestic Violence (CDV) and author of INVINCIBLE, recently spoke with Marlo Thomas on her web series, Mondays with Marlo, to share the impact of childhood domestic violence, an unspoken epidemic that affects millions.

Any person who grew up in a home living with domestic violence experienced what is known as childhood domestic violence. From a childhood standpoint, domestic violence is violence between parents or violence towards a parent— perhaps from a stepparent or a significant other. The violence can be physical or non-physical.

Although UNICEF calls childhood domestic violence "one of the most pervasive human rights issues of our time," there is still very little awareness for it— fewer than 10 percent of people first think about the children who live in homes where domestic violence is present.

In his interview with Marlo, Martin explained the impact that domestic violence has on the children who experience it— as well as the adults today who grew up with it— highlighting the fact that violence isn't always physical.

"I can't tell you, in the past seven years of researching, how many times I've heard, 'there wasn't any physical violence but the words they used – the words, I felt them physically'," said Martin. "Even my mother, she still would say— to this day— it was the words that did more damage than anything."

Martin also described the 10 lies that children of domestic violence grow up believing as a result of their circumstances. According to Martin, they believe they are guilty, resentful, sad, lonely, hopeless, worthless, fearful, self-conscious and that they are unloved.

"As someone who grew up living with domestic violence, I believed every one of these lies myself," said Martin. "People believe that because I have professional success that everything else is great—but that's not true. You can be professionally successful, but that doesn't mean you're emotionally successful and reaching your full potential. However, you can overcome these feelings by focusing on believing the opposite: the truth."

Growing up living with domestic violence negatively impacts a developing brain and the formation of the cognitive belief system. Today, 10 to 15 million children in the U.S. alone experience violence between their parents, and many are physically abused themselves. Additionally, 40 million American adults – or 1 in 7 – grew up in violent homes, often ending up in violent relationships themselves.

In part of Martin's conversation with Marlo, he notes that the first step to healing from childhood domestic violence is becoming aware of your circumstances and talking about it.

"Once you have become aware of it and are able to talk about it with others, those people can help you learn that you can overcome any obstacle after experiencing domestic violence for so long. As simple as that sounds, that moment never comes unless you start talking about it," said Martin.

Martin founded CDV in 2007 to raise awareness about this epidemic in an effort to end domestic violence and its impact. CDV is the first non-profit organization dedicated to helping and connecting those who have experienced childhood domestic violence so that they can reach their full potential and break the cycle of violence.

To watch Brian Martin's full interview on Mondays with Marlo, visit http://huff.to/1EvPSDr.

ABOUT CHILDREN OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE (CDV):
CDV – Children of Domestic Violence – was founded in 2007 by Brian F. Martin and is the first non-profit dedicated to helping those who grew up living with domestic violence to reach their full potential. For more information about CDV, visit www.cdv.org or follow the foundation on Twitter at @CDVorg.

ABOUT BRIAN F. MARTIN:
Brian F. Martin is an entrepreneur, Founder of the non-profit CDV – Children of Domestic Violence – and author of INVINCIBLE: The 10 Lies You Learn Growing Up with Domestic Violence and the Truths to Set You Free.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Kathleen Fletcher
Krupp Kommunications
Email
212-886-6705

SOURCE Children of Domestic Violence

Related Links

http://www.cdv.org