In Sweden there is often controversy over the place of child victims, especially children victimized by witnessing domestic violence. In part, the confusion is due from the difficulties children have in expressing themselves and presenting evidence. It is also due to the fact that there is confusion regarding the medical and psychological effects of witnessing instances of domestic violence. Consequently, such children, although they are recognized as victims and are entitled compensation from the state, are not eligible to be awarded damages from the abuser. In fact, in one important Supreme Court case, the prosecutor argued that children that had seen and heard their father beat their mother should be considered an injured and molested party and thus entitled to qualify for the superior status of plaintiffs. The Court, however, ruled otherwise and dismissed the case. This presentation will present psychological findings to the effect that a child seeing or hearing a parent being beaten by the other parent has the same effect on the child as if the child himself or herself had been beaten. Additionally, it will present findings that early-age trauma may lead, later in life, to suffering from pains that cannot be verified by traditional medical means. With this body of psychological knowledge, the legal system should be better equipped to recognize children not only as victims but as full-fledged plaintiffs, and thus in the position to receive damages from the accused.