What about the spouse (husband or wife) who takes out his/her frustrations on the child/children? Where can the child/children go for help? Who can they trust? Who will believe them?

A) Young children are especially vulnerable because they do not have the verbal skills to explain what is happening. Older children are often afraid to talk about family problems.
B) Teachers, Social Workers and many concerned citizens believe children, but know that it takes an expert to sort out what is abuse and what is told to a child that they should say. Most grandparents are safe for a child to talk to.
Bob Coombs

My experience did not deal with abuse from my father. But I was put in the painful position of seeing my mother emotionally hurt and having her turn to me as a confidant. As a teenager I went to a teacher and ‘confessed’ my father’s sins. Must have worked we were moved within a month. The ideal is to keep your children out of earshot and not include them in your problems. Not too many parent’s are able to do that. Children are very perceptive. Bob and Mable will have more to say on this. Children are believed more today than in my days.
Virginia Coombs