Child protection interventions - statutory responses for children experiencing family violence

Investigators

Professor Morag McArthur, Professor Daryl Higgins (Institute of Child Protection Studies, Australian Catholic University);
Dr Debbie Scott (Monash University, Turning Point Alcohol and Drug Centre).

Funding

Department of Social Services (DSS), Australian Government

Aim

• Develop a profile of the children and families reported to child protection with issues of domestic and family violence.
• Identify and map service responses, including the use of safety plans and other actions taken, such as referrals.
• Identify implications for how community-based and government services can better recognise and respond to violence.

Background

The risk factors for child abuse and neglect, and the intersection of family and domestic violence services with related systems such as statutory child protection services, is a key objective in the National Framework for Protecting Australia's Children 2009-2020. Additionally, the Victorian Government's 2015-16 Royal Commission into Family Violence noted that children are 'frequently marginalised' in current responses to family violence, and there is a need for stronger links between child protection, specialist family violence services, and other service providers which respond to family violence.

Project details

Part 1 of the study included a quantitative analysis of child protection files.We analysed and compared characteristics between families where family violence has been identified; and those where no family violence has been identified, in two jurisdictions.

Part 2 included qualitative interviews with child protection practitioners and non-government agency workers. These helped us to understand the nature of interventions and decision-making, and implications for safety and wellbeing of both mothers and children.

Project timeline

Completed 2018

Contact

For more information contact: icps@acu.edu.au