DURHAM, N.H. — University of New Hampshire researchers say a new federal grant will help them perform important research about children who witness family violence.

As part of U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder’s Defending Childhood Initiative, the Crimes Against Children Research Center at UNH is getting $400,000 to study children who have been exposed to family violence and their interactions with law enforcement and social service agencies.

Researchers will be looking at whether children feel less upset when police speak directly to them, or whether they show greater distress when witnessing family members being arrested.