Family violence is a major social and criminal problem in our society. Adult family violence is violence between the adults residing in the home. This violence affects children directly and indirectly. It may affect children's performance in school, their friendships and other relationships, and their emotional development. Children are hurt simply by seeing or hearing violence between trusted adults in their homes, not to mention how they are affected when they themselves are physically abused. In addition, their developmental and emotional needs often remain unmet because the abused or abusive adults are not able to properly care for them.