Intimate partner violence and/or family violence (IPV/FV) has harmful impacts on children, families, and communities. Even if children are not directly harmed, IPV/FV can contribute to behavioral, social, and emotional challenges.  

The prevalence of IPV/FV is disproportionately higher for women than men and for men and women who are non-Hispanic multiracial, American Indian/Alaska Native, and non-Hispanic Black compared with other populations People who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer are more likely to experience IPV than heterosexual individuals.

Child welfare and IPV/FV services should be interconnected to safeguard families. Prevention and early intervention efforts should be the focus, and services should be culturally responsive and easily and equitably accessible.  

Collaboration among child welfare and related professionals can help children and families heal from IPV/FV. Child welfare and related professionals should engage with offending parents in a nonjudgmental, strengths-based way.

Balancing the safety of their children while maintaining family continuity is complex for parents. Continual, culturally sensitive assessment for IPV/FV is crucial to safety, permanency, and well-being. As families make decisions about safety and service needs, caseworkers should partner with them to enhance safety and establish support networks.  

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