When Fear Grows at Home: An International Conversation on Understanding and Supporting Children

Wings of Freedom International | October 24, 2026

Seven countries, 30 women registered, and one shared purpose: to understand how domestic violence can affect children and adolescents, and to explore ways to support them with sensitivity, knowledge, and responsibility.

A Conversation That Crossed Borders

On Saturday, October 24, 2026, Wings of Freedom International hosted “Cuando el miedo crece en casa” (When Fear Grows at Home), an international educational conversation dedicated to exploring how domestic violence can affect the emotional well-being, development, and relationships of children and adolescents.

The event was held virtually via Zoom, conducted in Spanish, and offered free of charge as part of our commitment to making professional knowledge and educational resources accessible to people across different communities.

Thirty women registered from seven countries: Costa Rica, Mexico, Colombia, Ecuador, the United States, Belgium, and Spain.

This international reach highlighted a shared interest in understanding a reality that can profoundly affect family life, even when its consequences are not always visible.

Beyond cultural and geographical differences, the conversation brought us together around a common concern: how to recognize children’s needs and provide more thoughtful, respectful, and safe support.

Understanding What Children and Adolescents Experience

We were honored to welcome Noemí Verónica Villacís Plúa, Mgs., clinical psychologist, educator, and researcher, who shared her knowledge and professional experience to help us understand the different ways domestic violence can affect children and adolescents growing up in such environments.

During her presentation, the specialist explained that children and adolescents may experience the consequences of domestic violence even when they are not directly subjected to physical aggression.

Hearing threats or arguments, sensing adults’ fear, experiencing disruptions to daily life, or becoming involved in family conflicts are some of the circumstances that may affect their sense of safety.

This perspective encouraged us to broaden our understanding of what it means to grow up in a home where violence is present.

Children are also affected by what happens around them, even when adults believe they have not noticed.

Recognizing this reality is essential to responding to their needs without minimizing what they may be experiencing.

Recognizing Changes with Sensitivity

One of the central lessons of the conversation was the importance of carefully observing changes in children’s and adolescents’ behavior, emotions, and relationships.

The specialist discussed possible signs involving fear, sleep difficulties, concentration, play, irritability, withdrawal, and relationships with others.

These experiences may manifest differently depending on age, family circumstances, and individual needs.

However, identifying a particular behavior or emotional change does not mean we can immediately determine its cause.

Signs can guide our understanding, but they do not establish a diagnosis.

It is therefore essential to avoid premature conclusions, consider each child’s circumstances, and seek professional guidance when appropriate.

Observing with sensitivity means paying attention without labeling, listening without making assumptions, and recognizing that every experience deserves to be understood individually.

Silence May Also Be a Sign That Someone Needs to Be Heard

Not all children express their concerns in obvious ways.

Some may appear calm, become especially obedient, or remain highly attentive to the emotional state of adults while experiencing feelings they do not yet know how to communicate.

During the conversation, we reflected on the importance of not automatically interpreting silence as a sign of well-being.

We also learned that offering support does not mean demanding explanations or pressuring children to provide answers.

Sometimes, a simple question, a calm approach, or a willingness to listen can help create a trusting environment where a child feels comfortable opening up.

Listening means respecting their pace, their emotions, and their individual ways of expressing themselves.

Understanding begins when we stop assuming that we know what another person feels and become genuinely willing to listen.

Supporting Without Pressure and Protecting Without Intrusion

In addition to exploring the possible effects of domestic violence, the conversation provided guidance on responding more sensitively to the needs of children and adolescents.

Among the key points discussed were the importance of listening calmly, avoiding interrogations, respecting each child’s pace, and reassuring them that they are not responsible for violence committed by adults.

The discussion also highlighted the value of stable routines, protective relationships, developmentally appropriate activities, and support networks.

The specialist explained that support needs may differ across early childhood, school-age years, and adolescence.

For this reason, there is no single response that is appropriate for every situation.

Providing responsible support requires considering each person’s age, family circumstances, safety, and individual needs.

It also means recognizing when a situation requires the involvement of qualified professionals.

The goal is not to have all the answers, but to learn how to respond with greater sensitivity, care, and responsibility.

An Event Made Possible Through Shared Commitment

This international conversation was made possible through the dedication and collaboration of a team united by the mission of Wings of Freedom International.

Working across different countries, our team helped organize an accessible and respectful educational space focused on fostering a deeper understanding of children’s experiences.

We extend our sincere gratitude to Noemí Verónica Villacís Plúa, Mgs., for generously sharing her knowledge, experience, and professional perspective on a subject of great importance to families and communities.

We are equally grateful to our international volunteer team for their time, collaboration, and commitment.

We also wish to recognize the 30 women who registered from Costa Rica, Mexico, Colombia, Ecuador, the United States, Belgium, and Spain.

Their interest in this initiative reflects the value of creating educational opportunities that connect people from different countries around a shared concern: the well-being and safety of children.

What We Learned Continues Beyond the Conversation

For Wings of Freedom International, “Cuando el miedo crece en casa” (When Fear Grows at Home) is part of our ongoing commitment to education, awareness, and the promotion of safer environments for individuals and families affected by domestic violence.

Educational conversations alone cannot eliminate the challenges many families face. However, they can help us recognize situations that might otherwise go unnoticed, question misconceptions, and better understand how to offer meaningful support.

Every lesson learned presents an opportunity to listen more attentively, act responsibly, and strengthen protective relationships and support systems.

During the event, we shared a message that captures the purpose of this initiative:

Every child deserves safety. Every survivor deserves support.

Although the virtual gathering has concluded, its purpose continues through the reflections it inspires, the knowledge we share, and the decisions we make to better support those who need to be heard.

Because understanding is also a first step toward protecting.

Wings of Freedom International

Education, awareness, and a commitment to a safer childhood.