NCJ Number
240526
Journal
Child Abuse and Neglect Volume: 36 Issue: 3 Dated: March 2012 Pages: 210-216
Date Published
March 2012
Length
7 pages
Annotation
This article presents a summary of research, policy, and programming in the United States, Canada, and Australia that deal with the child welfare response to children's exposure to domestic violence.
Abstract
A review of studies, policies, and programs across the United States, Canada, and Australia, found that while the incidence of children's exposure to domestic violence (EDV) is underreported, the studies indicate that 7-23 percent of youths in the general population experienced EDV; 36-39 percent of youth in domestic violence cases have witnessed the violence; and almost 46 percent of caregivers in child maltreatment investigations have experienced domestic violence. The review of the studies, policies, and programs in the three countries was conducted to determine the extent to which child welfare agencies respond to the problem of adolescent EDV. The review found that improvements need to be made to the response by child welfare workers and authorities in dealing with the problem of adolescent EDV. Increases in funding are needed to improve training, develop programs, and increase staffing in order to meet the needs of children and families dealing with the problem of domestic violence. The authors also call for increased cooperation between authorities, child welfare workers, and child welfare advocates to respond more effectively to the problem of adolescent exposure to domestic violence. References