The following National Spousal Abuse FAQs are provided by the Legal Studies Program.

Funded by the Department of Justice Canada.

Warning: 

The contents of these FAQs are intended as general legal information only. If you have
a personal problem, please consult a lawyer.



My husband does not hit the children but they sometimes see him hit me. It does not seem 
to affect the children. Are there any long term consequences of them seeing him hit me?


It is extremely likely that there will be long term consequences from your children witnessing 
abuse. Boys who witness abuse at home are more likely to abuse their wives or partners when 
they grow up. Girls who witness abuse are more likely to accept abuse as a fact of life when 
they enter into relationships. Children who witness violence at home are more likely to think 
that violence at home is normal. Children should be protected from abuse, even when they are 
just witnesses.