Lisa Kuka comforts one of her children at the graveside during the burial service for another of her children Nia Glassie, who was abused to death by other family members, Tokoroa, New Zealand. Aug. 9, 2007. Phil Walter/Getty Images
A study based on a small sample seems to indicate that child abuse can change the DNA of the victims—and that those changes might be passed on to the victims’ offspring.
The result of this study, combined with other research, seems to indicate that childhood trauma such as child abuse, not only harms the victim, but can cause the victim’s children to be less healthy.
