NCJ Number
192703
Journal
Journal of Interpersonal Violence Volume: 16 Issue: 5 Dated: May 2001 Pages: 437-458
Date Published
May 2001
Length
22 pages
Annotation
This study examined data for 172 families as it compared families that had experienced both child maltreatment and woman battering (n=95) and families that had experienced only child maltreatment (n=77).
Abstract
First, the study examined whether dual-violence families were different from child maltreatment-only families on characteristics of the family, the child victim, the adult perpetrator, or maltreatment reports. Second, the study focused on whether there were differences in the two categories of families in terms of the agency worker's assessments, i.e., determination of maltreatment, determination of need for protective services, overall risk level to children, and case status upon completion of the assessment. For cases with determined maltreatment, the study considered whether there were differences in the characteristics of the maltreatment in terms of type or injury severity. For those cases with determined maltreatment or determined need for protective services, the study sought to identify any differences in the service response of the child protection services (CPS) agency. The study found that dual-violence families were more likely to include an unrelated male in the household, to involve a neglect allegation, and to include perpetrator substance abuse. Child protection workers were found to assess dual-violence families to be at higher risk, and the workers were more likely to open the case for child protection services. Among open cases, however, dual-violence families received fewer services but were more likely to be referred to the county attorney. These findings and their implications for policy, practice, and research are discussed. 4 tables, 3 notes, and 14 references