Child Contact and Domestic Violence
| Published date | 01 September 2000 |
| DOI | 10.1177/026455050004700310 |
| Date | 01 September 2000 |
| Subject Matter | Articles |
newcomers can benefit from projects such
assumption in English and Welsh courts
as those studied. How
far capacity
that a man who is violent to his partner
building extends beyond those individuals
may nevertheless be a good parent
involved in the work of the projects to the
following separation. It suggests that a
wider community remains to be seen.
lack of concern about abused parents’
Efforts to engage young people as part of
fears about domestic violence and its
the community rather than as a problem to
impact upon children can have dire
be dealt with by the community were less
consequences.
in evidence.
The Survey - The research was conducted
Agency Roles - While dissatisfaction with
in 1999 under the aegis of ‘AMICA’
agencies was common, there was evidence
(Action for Mothers Involved in Contact
of some improvement due in part to the
Action). One hundred and thirty survivors
projects. Police commitment to initiatives,
of domestic violence responded to a
senior representation at community forums
questionnaire (129 mothers and one
and careful attention to the implementation
father). They had 215 children between
of particular projects all proved essential.
them, many under 5 years old. The
Local people are concerned about much
findings make harrowing reading indeed.
besides crime: the physical appearance of
For example:
the neighbourhood was important in both
.
Prior to parental separation, 55% of
areas and deserves higher priority from
the 193 children who knew the abusive
local agencies.
parent had themselves been physically
This research highlights lessons for
abused by that parent.
local community safety projects and there
.
Thirteen percent had been sexually
is a particularly useful background chapter
abused.
describing current research on urban
.
neighbourhoods. Overall, it suggests that
Eighty-five percent had suffered
lasting solutions to the deep-rooted
emotional abuse.
problems that are inherent in Britain’s
.
Over 90% of abused...
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