Type:	Journal Article
Title:	Children who witness domestic violence – the implications for child protection
Other Titles:	Child and family law quarterly
Authors:	Humphreys, Catherine Parkinson, Patrick
Keywords:	Legislation analysis;Child protection;Legal issues;Family law;Protection orders
Year:	1998
Publisher:	Jordan Publishing
Citation:	10 (2), 1998
Notes:	Reprinted in M Freeman (ed) (2008) Domestic Violence:, Family, Law and Society Series, Ashgate Publishing, London General Overview: Domestic violence and child protection have long been treated as separate issues, yet children are often secondary victims of the violence which occurs between their parents. This article by Australian and UK authors examines the intersection between the two issues. Discussion: The authors review the literature on the effects of domestic violence on children and compare the existing child protection laws and practices in New South Wales and the United Kingdom. They conclude that developments such as third-party protection order applications, contact orders which recognise the harm caused by continued domestic violence, concurrent civil and criminal proceedings, and higher arrest rates could significantly improve practice in the UK. The authors also argue in favour of making exposure to domestic violence a specific and separate registration category under which children may be deemed to be in need of care and protection. However, they acknowledge the risk of battered women subsequently being doubly victimised by having their children removed by welfare authorities. As such, they strongly urge that child protection agencies work to support, rather than coerce, the decisions of abused women in relation to the care of their children.
URI:	https://anrows.intersearch.com.au/anrowsjspui/handle/1/13844
ISSN:	1358-8184
Appears in Collections:	Journal Articles

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