A mini-thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Magister Artium in Child and Family Studies, ABSTRACT Domestic violence has reached epidemic proportions worldwide. Every year, 275 million children globally are exposed to domestic violence. Witnessing domestic violence during childhood has been linked to various risks such as potential health risks, unemployment, deviant behavior, susceptibility to other subsets of family violence, various psychopathologies,

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... well as potential perpetration and revictimization. Boys are twice as likely to become perpetrators of abuse in adulthood if they have witnessed domestic violence in comparison to boys from non-violent homes. Girls exposed to domestic violence were shown to be more accepting of abusive married life than girls from non-violent homes. The aim of the study was to describe the perceptions of childhood exposure to domestic violence as a predisposing factor for revictimization in adulthood. The study used a quantitative approach with a cross-sectional correlational design. The sample consisted of 77 female participants from shelters across Cape Town, Western Cape. The study employed an adapted version of The Child Exposure to Domestic Violence (CEDV) Scale. The questionnaire was divided into three sections, namely demographic details, types of exposure to domestic violence the adult may have experienced as a child, and lastly current adult experiences of domestic violence. The data was analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences V21 (SPSS). Results suggest that there is a significant positive relationship between past perceived experiences of domestic violence and present perceived experiences of domestic violence. Limitations and recommendations are stipulated for proposed intervention strategies and further study expansion on this topic ii KEYWORDS Domestic Violence (DV) Intimate Partner Violence Women Childhood Adulthood Trauma Intergenerational transference of trauma Social cognitive learning theory Shelter iii DECLARATION I declare that the current study A South African retrospective study regarding the perceptions of children's exposure to domestic violence as a predisposing factor for revictimization in adulthood has not been submitted before for any degree or examination in any university, and that all the sources I have used or quoted have been indicated and acknowledged as complete references. _________________________ November 2013 JILL RYAN DATE iv DEDICATION This thesis would not have been possible without the grace of God, who through his mercy has granted me the resilience and blessing in coming this far in my academic as well as life achievement. To my family and friends who through constant motivation and support, never allowed me to doubt myself and what I could achieve, and for that I am eternally grateful. To all those who contributed to my enduring desire to complete this thesis, I thank you dearly. v ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS