A Judicial Checklist for Children and Youth Exposed to Violence

• NCJ Number: 232144
• Date Published: 2006
• Length: 28 pages
• Grant Number(s): 2002-JW-BX-K001
• Agencies: OJJDP-Sponsored
• Publication Type: Handbook

Annotation

This technical brief provides accessible information and is a useful reference tool for judges and practitioners in juvenile and family courts about children's exposure to violence.

Abstract

This technical brief funded by the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) was a collaborative effort to offer judges and practitioners in juvenile and family court with a reference tool that provides (1) a broad overview of children and youth exposure to (or witnessing of) domestic violence and community violence, (2) a brief discussion of the effects on children and youth of exposure to violence, (3) a Checklist for children and youth exposed to violence (from infancy to adolescence), (4) a review of several promising community collaborations that employ a multidisciplinary approach in responding to children's exposure to violence, and (5) a list of references (community responses to children's exposure to violence) for further information about this complex topic. The questions posed in the checklist are informed by a review of existing research and practice, and suggest areas that judges and child welfare professionals might explore when a child or youth has been exposed to violence. Inquiring into the existence of family and community violence and the physical, emotional and psychological damage that can result, will hopefully lead to better informed decisionmaking, case planning, and service provision, as well as a positive change in practice. References