The biggest victims of domestic violence are the little ones. Home is a safe and secure environment for children with loving parents free from violence. Children need a safe environment they can come home to when the outside world is unsafe. However, every year there are millions of children whose homes are not a safe haven. Millions of children are exposed to a parent who is violently assaulted. Domestic violence is a prevalent social issue in America today. First of all, those affected by domestic violence. Secondly, the impact of domestic violence on children. Third, the social harm of domestic violence is illustrated. This article argues that domestic violence has enormous effects on children. What makes domestic violence a social problem rather than a personal problem? Domestic violence 20 years ago was considered a women's issue. Domestic violence is a pattern of behaviors that includes physical, sexual and psychological abuse. Women are widely affected by domestic abuse, but it also has lasting consequences for other populations, including children. Children watch a parent get slapped, shaken, burned, kicked, and threatened with knives or guns. Psychological abuse includes isolation from others, strong jealousy, controlling partner, verbal control and harassment. Domestic abuse and psychological abuse are present in all aspects of life. It occurs across all age groups, racial and ethnic groups, socioeconomic, sexual orientation, and religious groups in America. Domestic abuse creates social, economic and health concerns for victims and others affected by the abuse. When Alhabib, Nur, and Jones (2009) studied domestic violence against women, their findings concluded that domestic violence… half of paper ......n Domestic Violence Emergency Shelters in the United States: What do young adolescent residents and their mothers say?." Child care in practice 14(4):393-415. Retrieved from Ebsco on October 1, 2013Levendosky A., and Graham-Bermann, Sandra 2001 “Parenting in battered women: the effects of domestic violence on women and their children”. Journal of family violence 2001(16)2: 170-192. Retrieved from Ebsco on 1 October 2013 Moylan, Herrenkohl, Sousa, Tajima and Russo, Jean 2009 “The effects of child abuse and exposure to domestic violence on internalizing and externalizing behavioral problems”. Journal of family violence 2010 (25):53-63. Retrieved from Ebsco on 1 October 2013Stanley, Miller and Foster, Helen 2012 "Engaging with children's and parents' perspectives on domestic violence" Journal of child and family social work 10. (1111):1365-2206 Retrieved from Ebsco on October 2015 1, 2013