Identifying Domestic Violence in Child Abuse and Neglect Investigations

Abstract

This study's primary objective was to evaluate the implementation of a domestic violence questionnaire introduced as a component of child maltreatment investigations. Interviews were conducted with a sample of 15 caseworkers. Case record data provided additional data. The questionnaire resulted in a 100% increase in the number of battered women identified during investigations. The interview data revealed that although there was resistance to the implementation of the questionnaire, there was a willingness to comply and complete the questionnaire. Workers conveyed a sense of responsibility to provide services to combat domestic violence. Most respondents believed their mandate was to protect the child and questioned the role of identifying domestic violence in protecting children. The questions of how child protective workers should assess and intervene with domestic violence are complex and lead to an examination of the mission of child protective service agencies.