Do good intentions beget good policy? A review of child protection policies to address intimate partner violence

Abstract

In response to the growing concern that children are adversely affected by being exposed to intimate partner violence, significant changes have been made to child protection policy in many parts of the Western world. This article reviews and analyzes these policies/legislative changes in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand to provide a general analysis of how the issue of child exposure to intimate partner violence has been addressed within a child protection policy context. Legislation or policy decisions that broadly define any children who are exposed to violence in the home as maltreated can be problematic as they may further victimize abused women and their children, and overwhelm already overburdened child protection systems. The paper proposes guidelines to more adequately protect the safety and well-being of children by offering support and protection to the adult victim while holding the perpetrator accountable.