Web resource:	http://www.courtinfo.ca.gov/programs/cfcc/pdffiles/5_Jaffe.pdf
Type:	Journal Article
Title:	Parenting arrangements after domestic violence: safety as a priority in judging children's best interest
Other Titles:	Journal of the Centre for Families, Children & the Courts
Authors:	Crookes, Claire V Jaffe, Peter G Wong, Frances Q F
Keywords:	Post-separation violence;Impact on children and young people;Family law
Year:	2005
Publisher:	Judicial Council of California
Citation:	6, 2005
Notes:	This gives an overview of the US and Canadian approach to domestic violence as a factor in determining child custody and visitation plans. It outlines some of the controversies in post-separation parenting plans. It suggests the need for comprehensive assessment and differentiated intervention strategies. It identifies factors to be associated with terminating access, supervising access or supervising exchanges. It summarises the current knowledge about domestic violence and separation: abuse does not end with separation – research has shown that physical abuse and harassment continue at significant rates after separation so promoting contact between children and a violent ex-spouse may give opportunities for renewed domestic violence through visitation and exchanges of children; that there is a significant overlap between domestic violence and child maltreatment; batterers are poor role models; that victims of domestic violence may be undermined in their parenting role; perpetrators may use perpetual litigation as a form of ongoing control and harassment; and domestic violence following separation may become lethal. It discusses the issue of confusion arising from the interchangeable use between the terms domestic violence, conflict and abuse, and the need for a distinction between high conflict and domestic violence cases in terms of assessment and intervention strategies. It argues that courts must develop systems, procedures and personnel able to provide screening, relevant data gathering, initial and ongoing risk assessments and recommendations linking the principal caregiver and children’s safety to community resources. It recommends that in a case where access should be supervised but no supervised-access centre is available, there should be a cessation of access unless safety can be met. It suggests that court reviews need to be an integral part of a procedure which begins with screening and assessment and ends with the community providing services to the child, the victim of the abuse and holding the perpetrator accountable through compliance with court orders.
URI:	https://anrows.intersearch.com.au/anrowsjspui/handle/1/16060
Appears in Collections:	Journal Articles

Items in ANROWS library are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.