Title: Is There a Link Between Domestic Violence and School Exclusion?

Table of Contents
Page No. Initials Introduction 2 MB
Background 2 MB
Theoretical perspective 3 MB
Literature Review 3-4 MB
Methodology 4 MB
Ethical Issues SM
Data Collected 5 SM
Analysis of Data 6 SM
Research Findings 6-7 SM
Conclusion 8 SM
References 9-10 SM References 11-13 MB

Is there a link between children that witness domestic violence and school exclusion?

Introduction The aim of this research is to:
Examine the impact domestic violence can have on children
Establish a link between bullying and exclusion from school of children that have been exposed to violence amongst adults in a parental role
To develop a theoretical understanding of behavioural difficulties experience by children that witness violence in the home as a regular occurrence Background
“The Government defines domestic violence as "Any incident of threatening behaviour, violence or abuse (psychological, physical, sexual, financial or emotional) between adults who are or have been intimate partners or family members, regardless of gender or sexuality." This includes issues of concern to black and minority ethnic (BME) communities such as so called 'honour based violence', female genital mutilation (FGM) and forced marriage.” Home Office (2009) Various terms are used when describing domestic violence such has family violence, inter parental violence or domestic abuse, Research shows that the violent act to women is typically committed by men (Abrahams et al 2007). Domestic violence in the home between adults in a parental role can affect children in many ways, (Mullender, 2000). Children witness mainly their mothers being physically and verbally abused and are frequently exposed to intimidation and threatening behaviour from the perpetrator (Mullender, 2000). Children’s responses to this type of exposure differ from child to child, (Hester et al, 2000). Most of the research data on the impact of domestic violence on children is sourced from the mother, (Hester et al, 2000). This makes it difficult to acknowledge firsthand the child’s perception of living with domestic violence. It is known that children exposed to family violence externalise by acting out problematic behaviour (Hughes et al , 2000 cited by ) therefore there is a high correlation between children that witness domestic violence and those that bully, consequently this may lead to school behaviour problems resulting in exclusion. The most common reason for both fixed and permanent school exclusions are persistent disruptive behaviour and threatening behaviour against peers and school staff, (Department of Children Schools and Families (2008). Theoretical Perspective
Functionalism looks at how individual behaviours are influences by broader social forces. This suggests that Domestic Violence when witnessed by children will have a profound effect on their behaviour. This research will be using a quantitative method which is effective when measuring distribution and the extent of a social attributes. This procedure is also useful when comparing two social variables such as bullying and school exclusion. The technique provides a proportional or numerical feedback, to represent a statistical approach to sociological research. Sociologists like Emile Durkheim (1897, cited by Bert et al 2001) adopted quantitative research method due to the fact that it allow hypothesis to be tested. For example children that are exposed to domestic violence are more likely to exhibit aggressive behaviour this technique allows social facts to be used as statistical data.

Literature Review
Research indicates that a large proportion of children are exposed to domestic violence, (Mullender 1996, Edleson 1999b, Carlson 2000, Humphreys