A number of national studies have shown that exposure to violence in the home, as well as direct abuse of a child, has a detrimental effect on children, with a wide range of responses, including long term effects on mental health. In addition, it is estimated that up to 10 million children are exposed to incidents of domestic violence each year. In light of these statistics the New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence recognized that more formal support and advocacy services need to be developed for children of domestic and sexual violence victims who seek services at crisis centers. For that reason, the Coalition applied for and received funding from the New Hampshire Endowment for Health to create a comprehensive plan to strengthen the Coalition’s provision of mental health services and support for children exposed to violence in their homes. The report is a culmination of 2 years of research into this planning project.

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