Child Protection in Families Experiencing Domestic Violence

• NCJ Number: 207966
• Author(s): H. Lein Bragg
• Date Published: 2003
• Length: 100 pages
• Contract Number(s): HHS-282-98-0025
• Sponsoring Agency: US Dept of Health and Human Services
• Corporate Author: ICF International
• Sale Source: NCJRS Photocopy Services; National Clearinghouse on Child Abuse and Neglect Information
• Publication Format: Document (Online)
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: Child Abuse and Neglect User Manual Series; downloaded December 13, 2004.

Annotation

This manual provides background information on the impact of domestic violence between intimate partners on the children exposed to this violence and guidance for professional practice in responding to this problem.

Abstract

A chapter on the overlap between child maltreatment and domestic violence discusses the co-occurrence of child maltreatment and domestic violence, children's exposure to domestic violence, common ground for professionals who respond to child maltreatment and domestic violence, and the various responses to families that experience domestic violence. A chapter on the "Basics of Domestic Violence" defines the nature of domestic violence and profiles victims and perpetrators of domestic violence. Another chapter reviews child protection practices with families that are experiencing domestic violence. This chapter first presents guiding principles and defines desired outcomes. This is followed by practice guidelines for initial screening and for family assessment. Safety planning with adult and child victims is then discussed. Other topics addressed in this chapter are case decisionmaking, the planning and management of cases that involve domestic violence, and case closure. A fifth chapter focuses on the enhancement of caseworker safety and support in child-protection cases that involve domestic violence. Safety considerations for caseworkers are discussed, along with steps to enhance caseworker safety and the role of the supervisors in supporting caseworkers. The concluding chapter provides guidance for building collaborative responses for families that are experiencing domestic violence. Topics addressed are partnering with service providers; community partnerships and principles; and promising initiatives, models, and programs. 130 notes, a glossary, and appended resource listing, toll-free telephone numbers for reporting child abuse, stages of change, domestic violence assessments, safety plans, and the development of a memorandum of understanding