Domestic Violence

Domestic violence includes any incident of threatening behaviour, violence or abuse (psychological, physical, sexual, financial or emotional) between adults who are or have been intimate partners or family members, regardless of gender or sexuality. Where there is evidence of domestic violence, the implications for any children in the household must be considered, including the possibility that the children themselves may be subject to violence or may be harmed by witnessing or overhearing the violence.

Everyone working with a family where it is known that there is domestic violence, should be alert to the frequent inter-relationship between domestic violence and child protection. As well as the potential for a child to be injured during domestic violence, evidence of impairment of the child’s health and development suffered as a consequence of seeing or hearing the ill treatment of another may also constitute significant harm. There is also evidence that adult partners who are violent are at increased risk of abusing their children. Conversely, where it is believed that a child is being abused, those professionals involved with the child and family should be alert to the possibility of violence within the family.

The effects of domestic violence include:

Normally, one serious incident or several lesser incidents of domestic abuse where there is a child in the household would indicate that Children’s Social Care should carry out an initial assessment of the child and family including consulting existing records. Where there is domestic violence in families with a child under 12 months old (including an unborn child), a referral must be made to Children’s Social Care, even if the child was not present when the violence took place.

This guidance also applies where the partner being abused is under 18 years old.

The Police are often the first point of contact with families in which domestic violence takes place. The Police should always find out whether there are children living in the household and see them to assess their immediate safety. If they have specific concerns about the safety or welfare of a child, they should make a referral to Children’s Social Care and to a Multi Agency Risk Assessment Conference (MARAC) citing the basis for their concerns. The Police should inform the parent in the family that the referral is being made.

The main objectives of any intervention in cases of domestic violence involving children are to:

• Protect the child (including unborn children)
• Empower the mother to protect herself and her children
• Identify the abusive partner, hold him accountable for his violence and provide him with opportunities to change.

The response of Children’s Social Care to any domestic violence referral should be discreet so as not to further endanger the adult victim or their child/ren, Any intervention should:

• Give priority to ensuring the immediate safety of the children
• Develop safety plans with the victim and each child of sufficient age and understanding. If the non-violent parent’s safety plan is to separate from the abusive partner, the possibility of removing the abusive partner, rather than the victim and children, should be considered first
• Assess whether the safety plans are sufficient to safeguard the children
• Take into account there may be continued or increased risk of domestic violence towards the abused parent/child after separation especially in relation to contact arrangements
• Support the non-violent parent to promote the child’s welfare
• Use the defined powers in criminal and civil law of the police and other agencies to protect the victim and any children
• Arrange safe accommodation both in emergency refuge and long term safe housing
• Ask direct questions about the frequency, nature and extent of domestic violence and be alert to the signs that a child, parent or partner may be experiencing domestic violence
• See non-violent parent and children alone to establish if they are experiencing or have experienced domestic violence and work separately with each parent and child where the threat of violence may prevent a parent and/or child from speaking freely and participating because of fear of retribution
• Give information and advice about legal rights, protection and support services so that carers can be empowered to make safe choices for themselves and their children
• Provide financial and practical support which may need to continue when the victim has moved into independent accommodation
• Establish safe and confidential means of communication
• Establish links, where appropriate, with Adult Services
• Have safe working practices in place for all practitioners

Ref:

A Vision for Services for Children and Young People Affected by Domestic abuse, LGA 2005.

Improving safety, Reducing harm: Children, young people and domestic violence – A Practical Toolkit for front line practitioners DH 2009

Working Together 2010 Chapter 11 Para 11.79 – 11.92

GOOD PRACTICE GUIDANCE:-

An assessment where domestic violence is a factor should take into account the:

• Nature of the abuse
• Risk to the child posed by the abuser
• Risks of serious injury or death
• Abuser’s pattern of assault and coercive behaviours
• Impact of the abuse on the mother
• Impact of the abuse on the child
• Impact of the abuse on parenting roles
• Protective factors
• Previous history and outcomes of non-violent parent seeking help in the past