Responding to Intimate Partner Violence in the Child Welfare System

1. Responding to Intimate Partner Violence in the Child Welfare System

2. Exposure to IPV • Central Questions: • Should exposure to violence or abuse between parents be a concern? • If so, in what situations or level of risk should intervention occur? • What responses are appropriate?

3. Mandate of the Child Welfare System • Best Interests of the Child • Historically and currently, children’s welfare is the primary consideration • Investigation to ensure child safety and well-being • Intervention occurs when children are at risk Davis & Krane, 2006; Shephard & Raschick, 1999

4. Exposure to IPV • Should exposure to violence or abuse between parents be a concern? • Research on IPV exposure documents significant harm to children’s cognitive and social long-term adjustment and inconsistent and abusive parenting • Methodological limitations, inconsistent definitions, clinical samples, multiple sources of information, conflating direct and indirect harm, and harm due to community violence and poverty • Some children exposed exhibit behavioral, cognitive and emotional functioning and attitudes Edleson, 1999; 2004; Fowler & Chanmugam, 2007; Hazen, Connelly, Kelleher, Landsverk, & Barth, 2004; Kohl & Macy, 2008

5. IPV Identification & Assessment • If so, in what situations or level of risk should intervention occur? • Theoretical development of the concept of IPV or IPA is increasingly complex • Multiple forms or patterns of relationships that suggest multiple responses • Little research of these in practice settings (in the context of complex and diverse families) and connections between IPV relationship type and harm to children Antle, Barbee, Sullivan, Yankeelov, Johnson, & Cunningham, 2007; Johnson, 2006; Kelly and Johnson, 2008

6. Investigation of IPV & Child Abuse • Is exposure to IPV identified as a concern? • CIS 2003 -- 28% of substantiated cases of child maltreatment involve exposure to DV as a primary form of maltreatment • Referral for services and out of home placement often involve many other co-occurring problems • Is the child welfare system appropriate? Antle, Barbee, Sullivan, Yankeelov, Johnson, & Cunningham, 2007; Black, Trocme, Fallon, & MacLaurin, 2008

7. Established Practices • What responses is appropriate? • Research is critical of established approaches: Examination of case files and interviews with social workers and interviews with mothers • Suggest two broad approaches – 1) minimization or 2) intrusive confrontation • Helpful responses – seeking of protection orders and aid in obtaining resources, i.e. childcare and housing Humphreys, 1999; Johnson & Sullivan, 2008; Magen, 1999; Scourfield, 2001; Seith, 2001; Shepherds & Raschick, 1999;

8. Suggested Alternatives • Increased focus on exposure to IPV as a form of child maltreatment: • Formalized screening for IPV and worker training • Inclusion of DV advocates within CW teams • Strengthening of and referrals to community DV services Banks, Hazen, Coben, Wang, & Griffith, 2009; Edleson, 1999; Featherstone & Peckover, 2007; Magen, 1999; Smith, Kelleher, Barth, Coben, Hazen, Connelly, & Rolls, 2005)

9. Conclusion • Is the child welfare system appropriate for families in which IPV is occurring? • Understanding of the role of child protection services: • Investigation of risky parenting and child functioning with services offered only when risk is evaluated as high or multiple concerns are evident • Or enlargement of the best interests of children mandate to include best interests of the caregivers