At this point, when we try to make rules or criminalize certain incidents that occur in spousal violence situations, the children are relatively invisible. Getting a better understanding of spousal violence and criminalizing coercive control would make it possible to protect women better, but also to see children more clearly as co-victims of this violence, and implement measures that will protect them better.
For example, Scotland recently made coercive control a crime, and the courts there must take the presence of children into consideration from the outset. In a coercive control situation, it is immediately recognized as an aggravating factor.
I think we could even go further and recognize children as victims or co-victims of that violence. It is really important not to forget them. Children must not be some kind of invisible victims in this whole system. They have to be recognized as victims who are entitled to protection, just as their mother is.