The Child Contact Policies and With Child Protection and Safeguarding - Literature review Example

Findings Various agencies are now involved in the management of domestic violence cases. In some instances, interagency collaboration is effectively established; however, in many cases, the application of these policies may produce unfavourable results for abused children and women. This paper shall consider the various lessons which social workers can learn from the application of child contact policies and with child protection and safeguarding. Current data available on the research Efforts to control and prevent domestic violence have been implemented in the world and in the UK through government agencies, women’s aid organizations, and similar advocate groups. The government has also directed policies for the protection of high-risk victims of domestic violence. In this regard, policies which relate to support and advocacy have also been implemented in the form of Independent Domestic Violence Advisors and Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conferences. Refuges and advocacy services have also focused on empowering women and in seeking rights equal to their male partners (Coy and Kelly, 2011). The government also saw fit to criminalise domestic violence and this shifted the relevance of the act from a private to a public concern. It also prompted more agencies to view domestic violence more than just a woman’s issue, something that must also be a concern of other agencies (Coy and Kelly, 2011). Efforts to strengthen the criminalization of domestic violence have also included the improvement of arrest policies and the increase of convictions for domestic violence cases (Coy and Kelly, 2011). Other laws and policies by the government have been secured towards domestic violence courts (Coy and Kelly, 2011). However, the acts often included under criminal jurisdiction mostly involve incidents with physically violent acts. In effect, minor incidents of domestic violence which often occur at a more regular interval are often ignored by government authorities (Coy and Kelly, 2011). When reported to the police authorities, minor domestic disturbances are often eventually given less priority. For victims of domestic abuse, they often end up being given less priority because of the lack of attention given to their complaints. The Coy and Kelly study discuss how victims of abuse now have recourse to the criminal courts to seek for police involvement and the criminal prosecution of abusers. This study indicates that social workers have a duty of assisting the victims of abuse in filing their case before the criminal courts and to work with the police officers in order to establish a strong case against the abuser. This study also implies the importance of protecting the victims from the abusers, securing their safety in instances where the abuser may retaliate against them for filing criminal charges. This study implies that social workers also need to secure the safety not just of the children victims, but of the mother-caregivers who may continue to stay with their abusers. Physical abusers may often file for bail after charges are brought before them; at which time, they may seek to exact their revenge on their victims. The challenge for social workers is to work with the victims, securing their safety and empowering them to leave their abusive partners. The Children’s Family Courts Advisory and Support Service (CAFCASS) Domestic Tool Kit (2007) declares that where practitioners are considering possible contact options, an assessment would have to be carried out in order to: establish what it happening to a child in this family and within the wider community; determine the nature of the relations of the child with the family and the community; and determine the learning and development affected. For the social worker assessing the child, an assessment of the positive influences and the negative influences would have to be carried out, including the assessment of the type of abuse, violence and neglect and domestic violence; the possible collusion among family members; and the response to intervention (CAFCASS, 2007). Social workers can be assured in the fact that child contact is not being established in order to allow continued abuse on the child, to gain access to the abused parent, to obtain the parent’s new address, or to use friends to achieve the above purposes (CAFCASS, 2007). The CAFCASS secured victim welfare by ensuring that the abuser would have limited or no contact at all with the victim. This research indicates that the social worker must ensure that repeated incidents of abuse would be prevented, especially after reports to the police have already been made about previous incidents of abuse. A history of abuse may prevent future contact for the abuser with their abused children or partners. In instances involving non-residential parents, Sturge and Glaser (2000) express how contact with the child can help achieve improved relations between parties. However in instances where a history of abuse has already been seen, contact between child and abuser is discouraged because of the continuing sense of fear that the child may have against the abuser, because of the anxiety the contact can bring to the child, because continued contact with the abusive parent can lead to antisocial behaviour on the part of the child, and because partner violence can also lead to abuse of children (Sturge and Glaser, 2000). This study implies that although child contact with non-residential parents can help establish important bonds with the child, incidents of domestic abuse can create traumatizing experiences for the child which social workers must take into account before considering any form of contact between the parent and the child. Sharpen (2009) in her DH Toolkit for Practitioners discuss similar risks for children living with domestic abuse. This toolkit explains that risks for children are significant, and it often increases when the non-abusing parent leaves the relationship and the home. It is important for social workers to understand that as the child and non-abusive parents leave the abuser, their vigilance for their safety must not abate because the risk for homicide is often increased at the point of leaving (Sharpen, 2009). Moreover, as the victims leave, they would need the most support from the social worker. The guidance and assistance from the social worker must increase at this point in order to protect the victims and ensure that they would not change their minds. Contact with abusive fathers is one of the major issues which social workers are often faced with. Radford, et.al., (1997) discuss that contact of children with abusive fathers is often encouraged by abused mothers because these fathers are often not abusive towards their children, and that most of the time, they are good fathers. These mothers however fear for their own safety from their partners. However, in these instances, issues often arose with further abuse perpetuated on the mothers where the fathers often used the children contacts to also physically access the mothers (Radford, et.al., 1997). This research implies the importance of social workers making a correct and thorough assessment of any situation involving domestic abuse and the allowances made for child-abuse parent contact, including its risks to the child and the abused parent. The Home Office Development and Practice Report (2004) also support the previous discussions on the impact and implications of child contact with the abusive parent on children. The report cites a case of an unsupervised visit on a child where the abusive partner verbally abused the child in an attempt to gain information about the mother’s whereabouts. The child experienced much trauma and emotional problems from the incident, but it took a while for the authorities to figure out that she was being verbally harassed by her father (Home Office, 2004). The report also recommended the importance of social workers carrying out comprehensive assessment on families with manifestations of abuse, and the importance of social workers making informed decisions on the safety of the children and their abused parent. Training of social workers has been highlighted as an important element in the management of issues related to domestic abuse, including inter-agency coordination, as well as direct assistance to children (Home Office, 2004). The Morrison (2009) also declares that children must be included in decisions involving contact with abusive fathers. Morrison (2009) discusses that children often feel that significant consideration must be made on their decisions in relation to contact with their abusive fathers because they feel like the decisions involve their lives. Many children expressed frustrations when their opinions were not considered and they were firm in their belief that if they were allowed to express their opinion, they would be safer (Morrison, 2009). They also felt that forcing them to have contact with their fathers often was detrimental to their welfare. Based on this report, social workers must make their decisions based on children’s preferences and opinions; moreover, in the implementation of laws on child contact, social workers must implement the application of these laws and how they impact on children. A study by Kaur (2002) also noted how allowing children to have contact with their abusive fathers often placed women at risk and the Children Act did not take these elements into account when they sought to encourage child contact. This study implies the need to make major changes in the policies on child contact and how the government must act immediately in order to prevent any further violence on children and abused partners (Kaur, 2002). Further amendments for legislators must also include the quality of child contact which can be allowed, disallowing any further contact in instances of violent abuse. Moreover, policies must also include mandates for social workers, mostly on encouraging women to break their silence on the abuse they have experienced. In the midst of these essential changes, the importance of securing safety for children during contact is a crucial consideration for social workers and policy-makers. Hester’s (2011) study also discusses the issue of child contact in the post-separation period and how male abusers often continue harassing the children and the mothers. Opportunities for child contact can sometimes prove deadly for the victims especially with violent aggressive males carrying out further acts of violence during contact periods. This study was able to reveal how important it is for social workers to consider possibilities for continued abuse when child contact with the abuser is allowed (Hester, 2011). The continued monitoring during child contact incidents must therefore be carried out by the social worker. More often than not, the aggressor in abusive relationships is the male, and the feminist perspectives declare how this trend is based on traditional gender biases (Anderson, 1997). Moreover, difficult socio-economic situations can increase risks for abuse within families. For social workers seeking to manage domestic violence, the prevention of further abuse must also hinge on the implementation of improvements in the socio-economic well-being of families. Child contact was also discussed in the study by Peled (2000) where the authors pointed out that even as mothers often seek to uphold the bonds that their children have with the fathers, this can often backfire on them, especially in instances when ongoing abuse is a risk. Although the courts and social workers understand the importance of building healthy relationships within family units, making such relationships work within abusive families is a complicated undertaking (Peled, 2000). Moreover, abused women often feel helpless and inferior to their abusive partners. The role of social workers in these instances is to empower these women and to consider the impact of contact on the children. Strengths and weaknesses of methods Existing research on domestic abuse has been carried out through quantitative and qualitative studies as well as government reports. This review presents four government-sanctioned reports from three agencies: the Department of Health, the CAFCASS, the Home Office, and the Centre for Research on Families and Relationships. Two qualitative studies were also presented in this study, along with one quantitative study, one speech, and one news article report, and these studies were able to provide specific details on parenting, feminist perspectives, and child contact with abusive fathers. A speech by Kaur was also included in this study as it provided a specific and detailed glimpse into the current government policies on child contact and risk assessment activities by social workers. An article was also included in this study and this article provided answers on the roles of social workers during domestic abuse and how child contact can often negatively impact on children. A quantitative analysis helped provide statistical support for the various variables involved in domestic abuse, including child contact and impact of abuse on children. In evaluating the methods applied in the studies included in this study, the highest level of evidence was apparent in the quantitative study where relations between variables were carried out and measured via statistical and outcome measures. The various government reports were also able to provide specific details on the roles of social workers as far as child contact is concerned. Since the reports by government agencies were ordered by government officials, there is a decreased reliability to their content which in some cases indicates data leaning towards favourable government practices. In the Coy study, the methods used provided an in-depth collection and management of data from both quantitative and qualitative perspectives. The strengths of the methodology used were founded on its four core layers of data collection which were devised to ensure the evaluation of goals. The data collection methods provided a thorough and adequate source of information with questionnaires and interviews for the various stakeholders involved. Observation field notes also provided further support for the information gathered. Weaknesses of this method mostly related to the risk assessment tools used which were all based on the victim’s perspectives. In general, the studies included in this essay are crucial to the general goals and help provide a framework for the rest of the study. The findings from the different research studies are comparable with each other. They provide similar results which indicate a general trend within the practice. One of the results common to the various studies relate to child contact with abusive fathers. The studies and the government reports discussed above express how fathers also play an important role in the lives of children and how maintaining contact and bonds with them can also improve relations between children and parents. The reports however also acknowledge the fact that allowing child contact with abusive fathers can often open the child to risk for physical and verbal abuse. The other studies also support this same information. Child contact also opens the abused partner to further incidents of abuse as the abuser can use the child in order to gain access to the mother upon whom more incidents of abuse may be carried out. The studies also mention the role of the social worker and concerned government authorities in making the proper assessment of the family situation, especially when possible child contact is being considered. These assessment and monitoring processes on the family with the history of domestic abuse is also crucial especially in the post-separation period when possible contact with the abuser can lead to further acts of violence, retaliation, and in some instances, homicide. The role of the social worker was also linked with empowering women to leave abusive relationships and to provide support for women and their children during post-separation transition periods. The studies cited above were able to indicate that this is the period where abused women are most vulnerable. They may change their minds and return to their abusive husbands; when they do, they are open to an even greater risk for physical abuse because the abuser would not want the woman leaving him. Feminist perspectives discussed in the Anderson study point out the fact that abusive men have a superiority complex and any assertive actions on the part of women often trigger further acts of violence against these women (Anderson, 1999). Mothers unwilling to allow child contact with abusive fathers have also been labelled in some of the studies as uncooperative; however, these studies also point out that the hesitation on the part of the mothers are not entirely unfounded, especially when risks for abuse of the child are high. The research findings call into question current policies and practice in relation to domestic abuse, specifically on child contact. The research findings acknowledge the importance of family bonds between family members and how the government has the responsibility of ensuring that these bonds stay intact. Government policies have not been specific on the details which relate to child contact and only mention the importance of seeking better relations between the abusive parent and children. However, strict policies which relate to monitoring and assessment of abusive families have been emphasized by the various studies cited, as well as the government reports included in this paper. The findings question the fact that unmonitored child contacts can sometimes lead to disastrous scenarios for families, especially children. These studies point out the need to implement stricter policies in order to protect children and abused partners. They also recommend the total elimination of child contact especially in instances when violent incidents of abuse were already previously manifested by the abuser. Policies which encourage and support child contact with the abuser are therefore questionable policies which must be amended. Further improvements on how social workers would empower the women to leave their abusive partners have also been suggested. At present, there is inadequate socio-economic support for these women; as a result, these women are often reluctant to leave their husbands. Providing better options for these women would ensure improved outcomes for these women, including their children. References Anderson, K., 1997. Gender, Status, and Domestic Violence: An Integration of Feminist and Family Violence. Journal of Marriage and Family, 59(3), pp. 655-669. Coy, M. and Kelly, L., 2011. Islands in the Stream: An Evaluation of Four London Independent Domestic Violence Advocacy Schemes. London: London Metropolitan University. Children’s Family Courts Advisory and Support Service (CAFCASS), 2007. Putting children and young people first: Domestic violence toolkit, pp. 1-74 Morrison, F., 2009. After domestic abuse: children’s perspectives on contact with fathers. Centre for Research on Families and Relationships, University of Edinburgh, 42, pp. 1-2. Hester, M., 2011. The Three Planet Model: Towards an Understanding of Contradictions in Approaches to Women and Children’s Safety in Contexts of Domestic Violence. British Journal of Social Work, 41, pp. 837–853 Home Office Development and Practice, 2004. Tackling Domestic Violence: providing support for children who have witnessed domestic violence. Research, Development and Statistics Directorate, pp. 1-15. Kaur, R., 2002. Contact, domestic violence and risk assessment. Speech to the city of Westminster’s development and training unit annual area child protection conference, pp. 1-17 Peled, E., 2000. Parenting by men who abuse women: issues and dilemmas. British Journal of Social Work, 30, pp. 25-36. Radford, L., Hester, M., Humphries, J., and Woodfield, K., 1997. For the sake of the children: the law, domestic violence and child contact in England. Women's Studies International Forum, 20(4), pp. 471-482. Sturge, C. and Glaser, D., 2000. Contact and domestic violence – the experts’ court report. Family Law, pp. 615-629. Sharpen, J., 2009. Improving Safety, Reducing Harm: Children, young people and domestic violence. A practical toolkit for front-line professionals. Department of Health, London. Read More