Domestic Violence against children Despite the legislative initiatives (Act of 29 July 2005 on Counteraction of Domestic Violence) and social initiatives (e.g. ‘Blue Card’), the extent of domestic violence against children has not shown any signifi cant decrease in Poland over the past decade. Taking into consideration the negative impacts of violence experienced in childhood, which manifest themselves across the lifespan of the victim, it is still of the utmost importance to thoroughly recognise the causes, forms and eff ects of family violence against children. The article presents the most essential reasons for emotional abuse against children analysed within the area of psychology and pedagogics, it indicates the destructive, both immediate and delayed, eff ects of the experienced violence which show over the lifespan of those harmed by the abuse, and it formulates recommendations regarding action against various forms of psychological violence against children in the home and family.