A child hiding in a bedroom during a violent argument.

A little girl trying to comfort her crying mother.

A teenager lying awake at night listening for shouting down the hallway.

For thousands of children across Arkansas, domestic violence is not something they hear about on the news. It’s something they live with.

And even when the violence stops, the trauma often remains long after the bruises fade.

That’s why the Forest of Hope Family Peace Center is not being built just for survivors. It’s being built for their children, too.

Because children shouldn’t have to heal from violence alone.

Domestic Violence Impacts Children More Than Most People Realize

When people think about domestic violence, they often picture physical injuries or emergency shelter.

But children experience trauma, too – emotionally, mentally, physically, and developmentally.

According to the National Child Traumatic Stress Network, children exposed to domestic violence are at increased risk for:

• anxiety and depression,
• difficulty concentrating,
• behavioral challenges,
• sleep disorders,
• academic struggles,
• substance abuse,
• and long-term emotional trauma.

The trauma can affect brain development, emotional regulation, and a child’s ability to feel safe in relationships.

And sadly, this issue is far more common than many people realize.

According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, approximately 1 in 15 children in the United States are exposed to intimate partner violence each year, and 90% of those children are eyewitnesses to the violence.

Arkansas Children Are Living With the Impact

Domestic violence is a serious issue across Arkansas.

Women & Children First reports that domestic violence remains one of the leading predictors of child abuse.

Research also shows that children exposed to violence in the home are significantly more likely to experience abuse themselves later in life.

According to the US Department of Justice, exposure to family violence is one of the major factors contributing to childhood trauma and child welfare involvement in the country.

And while every child processes trauma differently, many carry the emotional impact for years:

• fear,
• hypervigilance,
• emotional withdrawal,
• difficulty trusting adults,
• and feelings of guilt or shame.

Some children blame themselves. Others simply learn to survive in chaos.

Healing Requires More Than Safety

Leaving an abusive home is an important first step. But healing requires more than simply escaping danger.

Children need:

• stability,
• counseling,
• emotional support,
• safe spaces,
• healthy routines,
• and adults trained to understand trauma.

That’s why the Family Peace Center model is so important.

Instead of forcing families to navigate disconnected systems across multiple agencies, the Forest of Hope Family Peace Center will bring coordinated services together under one roof:

• counseling,
• advocacy,
• children’s services,
• legal support,
• healthcare partnerships,
• shelter,
• education support,
• and more.

One place. One story. One future.

This nationally recognized model helps reduce retraumatization and allows families to begin healing faster.

Designed With Children in Mind

The new Forest of Hope Family Peace Center was intentionally designed to support children healing from trauma.

The campus will include:

• trauma-informed play areas,
• dedicated children’s spaces,
• family shelter rooms,
• counseling support,
• educational resources,
• and expanded programming for children and teens.

Women & Children First also operates Camp HOPE America-Arkansas, an evidence-based program designed specifically for children exposed to domestic violence.

Camp HOPE helps children rediscover confidence, connection, and hope through mentoring, recreation, and trauma-informed support.

The message children hear is simple but powerful: Your past does not define your future.

Breaking the Cycle for the Next Generation

Children who grow up surrounded by violence often carry that trauma into adulthood. But intervention changes outcomes.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), early support and trauma-informed intervention can dramatically improve long-term emotional, educational, and health outcomes for children exposed to violence.

That means helping children heal today can reduce future:

• violence,
• substance abuse,
• mental health struggles,
• chronic disease,
• and generational trauma.

This is bigger than one building. This is about changing the future for Arkansas families.

A New Chapter for Arkansas Families

For nearly 50 years, Women & Children First has helped survivors and their children find safety, strength, and hope. Now, Arkansas is entering a new chapter.

The Forest of Hope Family Peace Center represents more than expanded services or additional shelter beds.

It represents a new way of caring for families impacted by violence.

A place where children are not overlooked.

A place where healing begins sooner.

A place where survivors and their children do not have to navigate trauma alone.

Because every child deserves more than survival.

They deserve safety. They deserve healing. They deserve hope.

And they deserve a future free from violence.

Need Help Now?

Women & Children First provides free and confidential support 24/7 for individuals and families impacted by domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, and trafficking.

📞 24-Hour Statewide Hotline: 800-332-4443

Learn more about the Forest of Hope Family Peace Center at
Women & Children First