Domestic Violence and Children: Creating a Public Response

• NCJ Number: 182264
• Author(s): Susan Schechter; Jeffrey L. Edleson
• Date Published: 2000
• Length: 24 pages
• Sponsoring Agency: Ctr on Crime, Communities and Culture
• Sale Source: National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Instructional Material
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

After composing guiding principles for future policy and service to parents and children who have experienced or been exposed to domestic violence, this booklet offers recommendations for communities and governmental bodies for helping children who are experiencing domestic violence.

Abstract

Witnessing, in addition to experiencing, violence harms children and adults. To ameliorate this harm, victims should be entitled to culturally competent services that provide safety and restore their well-being and sense of security. The well-being of children exposed to family violence will usually be restored if their parents can be helped to create safety and stability in their lives. Many very young children experience violence in the community and at home. Violence is often related to other serious social problems, such as poverty and substance abuse. Children and families will be effectively helped only if citizens and agencies work together and develop within communities the capacity to meet and coordinate the safety, health, mental health, education, housing, and income needs of families affected by violence. Every community should conduct an audit of its current response systems and develop an infrastructure of protections and a range of services for children and families who are experiencing violence. Local, State, and Federal legislative and administrative bodies; private organizations; and foundations should create funding and policy mandates to support an infrastructure of community services for child exposed to family and community violence. Professional organizations and training institutions should establish guidelines for training, licensing, and certification for those working with families exposed to violence. Finally, government agencies, private foundations, and service providers should collaborate on research efforts that enhance understanding of children who experience domestic violence. Boston and Philadelphia programs designed to help children who have witnessed or experienced violence are described.