This article describes a qualitative study of young adult migrants reflecting on exposure to domestic violence in childhood. The study involved four young adults of Indian ethnicity. The article presents their reflections on the nature of the exposure, the effects it had on them and their responses. The authors identified several themes in these reflections: the participants' powerlessness as children, their lack of mothering and the loneliness of their role as the responsible person in the family. These themes are discussed in relation to the literature on childhood exposure to domestic violence. The research showed a considerable shift from powerlessness as children to empowerment as resilient, young people. The young people's own interpretation of their experiences and their determination to construct a different future was critical to their resilience. School staff also played a significant role in helping the participants to develop and follow constructive life plans. This latter finding has implications for school staff in a pastoral care role and for school policies. The authors consider the research shows not all children are affected by or cope in the same way with exposure to domestic violence. Further research could focus on the influence of ethnicity (cultural mores) on the resilience of children in this situation.

New Zealand Journal of Counselling 29(1) 2009 : 36-53