NCJ Number
222660
Journal
Journal of Interpersonal Violence Volume: 18 Issue: 12 Dated: December 2003 Pages: 1394-1410
Date Published
December 2003
Length
17 pages
Annotation
This study examined the ways in which child custody evaluators handled the critical issue of domestic violence allegations.
Abstract
Findings reveal adequate training, multiple sources of data collection, and practices/procedures that closely adhere to child custody guidelines. However, robust, specialized domestic violence instruments, tests, and questionnaires were underutilized. The respondents indicate that the findings support that domestic violence allegations had a substantial impact on their subsequent recommendations. Even in the absence of a custody dispute, domestic violence can have a serious negative influence on the physical and psychological well-being of children and adolescents exposed to it. Thus, it is critical for custody evaluators to assess the presence and impact of domestic violence regardless of whether it was raised as a specific issue at referral. Child custody evaluators have been harshly criticized in the past for their assessment of domestic violence allegations. This criticism raises a concern that needs to be further explored, because domestic violence is an increasingly common allegation in child custody disputes. This study was conducted to assess the status of practice in this area. Tables and references