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State Laws on Protecting Children from Domestic Violence
The following Child Welfare Information Gateway products and other resources explore State laws addressing harm to children resulting from domestic violence
State statutes index and search
Access the Child Welfare Information Gateway State Statutes Series by title, or search statutes by individual States on issues related to child abuse and neglect, child welfare, and adoption.
State Statutes Series
| Child Witnesses to Domestic Violence: Summary of State Laws | |
| Series Title: | State Statutes |
| Author(s): | Child Welfare Information Gateway |
| Availability: | View Download (PDF - 223KB) |
| Year Published: | 2009 - 17 pages |
| Discusses legal measures to protect children who may be harmed by witnessing acts of domestic violence in their homes. Summaries of laws for all States and US territories are included. | |
| Definitions of Domestic Violence | |
| Series Title: | State Statutes |
| Author(s): | Child Welfare Information Gateway |
| Availability: | View Download (PDF - 464KB) |
| Year Published: | 2011 - 60 pages |
| The definition of domestic violence varies depending on the context in which the term is used. A clinical or behavioral definition is "a pattern of assaultive and/or coercive behaviors, including physical, sexual, and psychological attacks, as well as economic coercion, that adults or adolescents use against their intimate partners." Legal definitions across the States generally describe specific conduct or acts that are subject to civil and criminal actions, and the specific language used may vary depending on whether the definition is found in the civil or criminal sections of the State?s code. Approximately 46 States, the District of Columbia, American ... | |
Related resources
Domestic Violence Statute Search
National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges
A database of statutes related to domestic violence for all 50 States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and Guam.
The Greenbook Initiative
National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges
A Federally sponsored program to address the co-occurrence of domestic violence and child maltreatment. Resources include publications, curricula, and technical assistance.
From Awareness to Practice: Children, Domestic Violence, and Child Welfare
Rivett & Kelly
Child Abuse Review, 15(4), 2006
View Abstract
Discusses social work practice in relation to child witnesses of domestic violence. The paper argues that child witnesses of domestic violence do not always need the response of a child protection system and that future practice, legal, and policy responses should be based on a wider understanding of their needs.