Responding to Intimate Partner Violence in the Child Welfare System

Judy HughesJudy Hughes

Faculty of Social Faculty of Social WorkWork

Shirley ChauShirley Chau

School of Social School of Social WorkWork

University of University of ManitobaManitoba

UBC OkanoganUBC Okanogan

October 2009October 2009

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?

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

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

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

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

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;

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)

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