Key decisions in child protection services in cases of domestic violence: maintaining services and out-of-home placement

ABSTRACT This paper looks at the response of the child protection services (CPS) system in cases where exposure to domestic violence occurs alone or together with abuse or neglect, focusing on the factors involved in decisions to maintain the case open for ongoing services or remove children from th...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Child & family social work 2011-08, Vol.16 (3), p.353-363
Main Authors: Lavergne, Chantal, Damant, Dominique, Clément, Marie-Ève, Bourassa, Chantal, Lessard, Geneviève, Turcotte, Pierre
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Canada
Child Abuse
Child abuse & neglect
child abuse and neglect
Child Care Services
Child fostering
Child Neglect
Child protection
child protection services
Child Safety
Child welfare
Child Welfare Services
Children
Decisions
Domestic violence
factors involved in decisions
Family Problems
Family Violence
Intervention
Montreal, Quebec
Placement
Quebec
Risk factors
Social conditions
Social services
Social support
Social work
social work pratices
Violence
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Summary:ABSTRACT This paper looks at the response of the child protection services (CPS) system in cases where exposure to domestic violence occurs alone or together with abuse or neglect, focusing on the factors involved in decisions to maintain the case open for ongoing services or remove children from the home. The study is based on an analysis of clinical and administrative data from the files on children reported to a CPS agency in Montreal, Canada. A total of 1 071 substantiated reports were documented, including 337 cases of co‐occurrence (32%). Analysis of the data shows that domestic violence does not by itself constitute a factor liable to lead to more intrusive intervention. The CPS response appears to be influenced more by the existence of other forms of maltreatment and risk factors. Additionally, while domestic violence may be associated with more severe individual and family problems, it does not influence the decision to keep the case open because the child still need services. The lack of any connection between domestic violence and this decision is a cause for concern, as results indicate that such families need help. Knowing how to respond to their needs therefore remains a major challenge.
ISSN:1356-7500
1365-2206
DOI:10.1111/j.1365-2206.2010.00750.x