Home > Child Protection in Families Experiencing Domestic Violence > Child Protection in Families Experiencing Domestic Violence: Chapter 1: Purpose and Overview

Child Protection in Families Experiencing Domestic Violence. [CD-ROM Version]
User Manual Series (2003)

Author(s):  Office on Child Abuse and Neglect., Caliber Associates. Bragg

Year Published:  2003

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You are in section: Table of Contents Preface Acknowledgments 1 - Purpose and Overview 2 - The Overlap Between Child… 3 - The Basics of Domestic… 4 - Child Protection Practices… 5 - Enhancing Caseworker Safety… 6 - Building Collaborative… Endnotes Appendix A - Glossary of Terms Appendix B - Resource Listings… Appendix C - Child Abuse… Appendix D - Stages of Change Appendix E - Domestic Violence… Appendix F - Domestic Violence… Appendix G - Domestic Violence… Appendix H - Safety Plans Appendix I - Developing a…

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Chapter 1
Purpose and Overview

Child abuse and neglect is a community concern. Each community has a legal and moral obligation to promote the safety, permanency, and well-being of children, which includes responding effectively to child maltreatment. At the State and local levels, professionals assume various roles and responsibilities ranging from prevention, identification, and reporting of child maltreatment to intervention, assessment, and treatment. Child protective services (CPS) agencies, along with law enforcement, play a central role in receiving and investigating reports of child maltreatment. With the increasingly recognized overlap between domestic violence and child maltreatment, CPS is working more closely with those providing services related to domestic violence to ensure more comprehensive assistance to both the child and victim. This manual offers considerations and alternate protocols for CPS caseworkers culled from the practices of various agencies involved in addressing both forms of violence.

To protect children from harm, CPS relies on community members to identify and report suspected cases of child maltreatment, including physical abuse, sexual abuse, neglect, and psychological maltreatment. Many community professionals (including health care providers, mental health professionals, educators, and legal and court system personnel) are involved in responding to cases of child maltreatment and domestic violence and providing needed services. It is important to note that various professionals are mandated to report suspected child maltreatment to CPS or law enforcement, such as health care workers and school personnel. In some States, those who provide services related to domestic violence also are mandated reporters. In addition, community-based agency staff, clergy, extended family members, and concerned citizens play important roles in supporting and keeping families safe.

Domestic violence is a devastating social problem that affects every segment of the population. While system responses are primarily targeted towards adult victims of abuse, increasing attention is now focused on the children who witness domestic violence.¹ Studies estimate that 10 to 20 percent of children are at risk for exposure to domestic violence. Research also indicates children exposed to domestic violence are at an increased risk of being abused or neglected, and that a majority of studies reveal there are adult and child victims in 30 to 60 percent of families who experience domestic violence.²

This manual provides background on this complex topic and addresses the following practice issues:

• The overlap between child maltreatment and domestic violence;

• The basics of domestic violence;

• Modifying child protection practice with families experiencing domestic violence;

• Enhancing caseworker safety and support in child protection cases involving domestic violence;

• Building collaborative responses for families experiencing domestic violence.

Various terms are used within the field and throughout communities to describe domestic violence and the individuals involved. Some commonly used terms suggest all perpetrators of domestic violence are male and all victims are female. While this type of terminology reflects the majority of cases, it certainly is not always true. Terms commonly used in the field include:

Domestic violence:

Victim:

Perpetrator:

Service provider:

The use of a particular term over another may be based on what is commonly used in an organization or community, the perceived socio-political implications of certain terms, or personal preference. In many settings, however, no or little distinction is placed on these terms. This manual reflects that perspective. For purposes of clarity and ease of understanding, this manual uses a select number of these terms. For example, perpetrators of domestic violence usually are referred to as "abusers" or "perpetrators" throughout the manual for brevity and readability. Whenever possible, this manual also uses gender-neutral language.

previous

You are in section: Table of Contents Preface Acknowledgments 1 - Purpose and Overview 2 - The Overlap Between Child… 3 - The Basics of Domestic… 4 - Child Protection Practices… 5 - Enhancing Caseworker Safety… 6 - Building Collaborative… Endnotes Appendix A - Glossary of Terms Appendix B - Resource Listings… Appendix C - Child Abuse… Appendix D - Stages of Change Appendix E - Domestic Violence… Appendix F - Domestic Violence… Appendix G - Domestic Violence… Appendix H - Safety Plans Appendix I - Developing a…

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This material may be freely reproduced and distributed. However, when doing so, please credit Child Welfare Information Gateway.

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Updated on October 9, 2009