1 Domestic Violence and Child Protection Jude Irwin, Fran Waugh, Marie Wilkinson School of Social Work and Policy Studies The University of Sydney.

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Domestic Violence and Child Protection

Jude Irwin, Fran Waugh, Marie WilkinsonJude Irwin, Fran Waugh, Marie Wilkinson

School of Social Work and Policy StudiesSchool of Social Work and Policy Studies

The University of SydneyThe University of Sydney

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Research Aims to examine practitioners’ knowledge and to examine practitioners’ knowledge and

understandings of domestic violence understandings of domestic violence and child protection and child protection

to review the child protection strategies to review the child protection strategies utilised by practitionersutilised by practitioners

to identify effective strategies which to identify effective strategies which could be used in responding to both could be used in responding to both women and their children. women and their children.

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The Four Studies1.1. An analysis of the NSW Department of Community An analysis of the NSW Department of Community

Services responses to domestic violenceServices responses to domestic violence

2.2. The understandings of practitioners of the policy The understandings of practitioners of the policy and practice issues related to the protection of and practice issues related to the protection of children and young people who live with domesticchildren and young people who live with domestic

3.3. Women’s perceptions about living with domestic Women’s perceptions about living with domestic violence and the protection of their childrenviolence and the protection of their children

4.4. The views of children and young people who had The views of children and young people who had lived with domestic violence aboutlived with domestic violence about violence in their violence in their familiesfamilies

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Study 1 Analysis of NSW Department of Community Services responses to domestic violence

Observation and analysis of intake practice Observation and analysis of intake practice in 5 Community Service Centres (CSCs)in 5 Community Service Centres (CSCs)

The tracking of a sample of intake referrals The tracking of a sample of intake referrals over an 18 month periodover an 18 month period

Interviews with intake workers (13) and Interviews with intake workers (13) and assistant managers (9) at these CSCsassistant managers (9) at these CSCs

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Table 1: Demographic features of the areas serviced by the five Community Service Centres

NSW Office A Office B Office C Office D Office E Population 6,038,696 144,000 51,000 37,000 77,000 27,000

% population under 5 years

7.9 9.5 8 8.9 7.5 8.2

% population 5-15 years

14.2 19.5 15.1 17.4 15.9 14.5

% population Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander

1.68 2.2 0.8 7.4 3.2 2.5

% population born overseas

23 24.4 51.5 5.2 12.3 19.4

% one parent families

16.9 22.8 13.4 21.3 20.1 18.9

% families, weekly incomes < $300

11.9 11.5 14.2 12.6 18.9 10.4

% unemployment 8.8 9.5 14.3 7.99 14.4 8.6

Source: ABS 1996 Census of Population and Housing

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Chart 1: The investigation process for urgent notifications

Assis tan t M anager Ra tifies o r Am ends the W orkers D ec is ionN o tifica tion : C onfirm ed , reg is te red ; C onfirm ed , re fe rred, c losed;

C on firm ed , c losed ; N o t con firm ed re ferred , c losed ; C on firm ed, c losedo r N o t loca ted

Investiga to ry Assessm ent, A ssessed Issues, O u t of H om e C areEn te red on to the C lien t In fo rm a tion System (C IS)

C ase P lan D eve loped

F orm a l Deb rie fing w ith Ass is tan t M anager

In fo rm a l D eb rie f be tw een D oC S Fron tline W orke rs

Action T aken

C onsu lta tion w ith Ass is tan t M anagerIs C h ild 's S afe ty in Im m ed ia te D anger

Approva l fo r R ecom m ended Action

In te rv iew Pa ren t/sIn te rv iew Sub ject C h ildR ISK ASS ESS M EN T

F urther E nqu iries

B rie fing M ee tings w ith A ss istan t M anager and W orke r/sAction P lan D eve loped

A lloca tion by A ss is tant M anager

U rgen t no tifica tion

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Chart 2: All the observed referrals

R e re fe rra ls3 5 ch ild ren

(7 7 re fe rra ls )

N o fu rth er re fe rra ls7 6 ch ild ren

D V tracked1 1 1 ch ild ren

D V re fe rra ls1 1 1 ch ild ren

R e re fe rra ls5 1 ch ild ren

(1 1 7 re fe rra ls )

N o fu rth er re fe rra ls5 5 ch ild ren

O th er tracked re fe rra ls1 0 6 ch ild ren

n on D V re fe rra ls3 2 0 ch ild ren

A L L re fe rra ls4 3 1 ch ild ren

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Graph 1: The seven highest primary reported issues/ harm

05

1015202530

Pe

rce

nt

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Graph 2 The informants of all the referrals to DoCS

0 100 200

Health/othergovernment dept

Non governmentorganisation

Education–Principal,

Police

Parent/relative/neighbour

Info

rma

nts

Number of referrals

non DVreferrals

DVreferrals (tracked)

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Graph 3 Number of previous notifications for all the referrals

0

20

40

60

80

Previous notifications

Per

cen

tag

eDV referrals

non DV referrals

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Graph 4: Outcome decisions for the initial referrals

0 20 40 60 80

unknown

information

intake

notification

Percentage

non DV referrals

Domestic violencereferrals

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Graph 5 Five highest primary reported issue for tracked referrals

0102030405060

Dom

estic

viol

ence

Ris

k:In

adeq

uate

supe

rvis

ion

for a

ge

Har

m:

Neg

lect

Per

cen

t

13

Graph 11: Investigative assessments

0102030405060

Inve

stig

ativ

eas

sess

men

tco

mpl

eted

No

inve

stig

ativ

eas

sess

men

t

Lett

er s

ent

topa

rent

s

Per

cen

tag

e Domesticviolence referrals

Other trackedreferrals

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Table 2: Outcomes of investigative assessments of tracked referrals

Assessed issue Domestic violence referrals

Other tracked referrals

n=40 n=55

% %

Carer: adults behaviour - Domestic violence 58 11

Carer: Alcohol and/or other drug abuse 10 7

Carer: Disability – non-psychiatric 2

Carer: Emotional state 2

Family: Behaviour mgmt difficulties with child 4

Family: Homelessness of family 2 7

Family: Parenting skills development required 4

Emotional: Persistent caregiver hostility 6 5

Physical: Hitting, kicking, striking, punch 2 4

Sexual: Indecent dealings/molestation 2

Sexual: Penetration 2

Neglect: Abandonment/Desertion 7

Neglect: Supervision 2

Action (Harm/Injury): Other 2 2

No safety, Risk or Wellbeing issues 16 43

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Graph 12: Outcome decision of first investigative assessment

02468

101214161820

Confirm

ed,

regis

ter

Confirm

ed,

refe

rred,

Confirm

ed,

clo

sed

Not

confirm

ed,

refe

rred,

Not

confirm

ed,

clo

sed

Not

locate

d

Num

bers Domestic

v iolencereferrals

Other trackedreferrals

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G rap h 13 : R e re ferra ls fo r trac ked cas es

0

20

40

60

80

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 8

N u m b e rs o f re -re fe rra ls

Num

bers

D om es t ic vio lenc ereferra ls

O ther t rac k edreferra ls

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T a b le 3 : P rim a ry re p o rte d is s u e fo r th e re -re fe rra ls

R e p o rte d issu e In itia l D o m es tic

v io le n ce re fe rra ls

O th e r tracke d re fe rra ls

D o m e s tic v io le n ce 4 3 2 5 C a re r: A lcoh o l an d /o r o th e r d ru g u se 3 1 5 H a rm : P h ys ica l 5 1 0 C a re r: E m o tio na l s ta te 2 1 1 F a m ily : W e llb e in g co n ce rns fo r ch ild 5 6 R isk :S u ic id e risk - ch ild 1 1 C a re r: F in an c ia l p ro b le m s 1 8 O th e r (re p re se n tin g 1 5 co de s ) 1 5 3 1 In fo rm a tio n o n ly - no cod e ass ig n e d 3 T o ta l 7 7 1 1 7

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Table 4 Assessed issues for re referrals where an investigate assessment was completed

Assessed issue Initial domestic violence referrals

Other tracked referrals

n =42 n=79

Carer: adults behaviour - Domestic violence 23 (55%) 11(14%)

Carer: Alcohol and/or other drug abuse 16 (20%)

Carer: Emotional state 6 (8%)

Family ; Behaviour mgmt difficulties with child 8 (10%)

Family: Parenting skills development required 2 (5%)

Emotional: Persistent caregiver hostility 2 (5%)

Physical: Hitting, kicking, striking, punch 5 (6%)

Sexual: Indecent dealings/molestation 2 (5%) 1

No safety, Risk or Wellbeing issues 5 (12%) 22

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Graph 15 Outcom e decisions of investigative assessment of re referrals

0

10

20

30

40

Con

firm

ed,

regi

ster

Con

firm

ed,

refe

rred,

Con

firm

ed,

clos

ed

Not

conf

irmed

,

Not

conf

irmed

,

Num

bers

Initial domesticviolence referrals

Other trackedreferrals

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Summary Study 1 431 referrals were analysed431 referrals were analysed

217 (just over 50%) were tracked217 (just over 50%) were tracked

111 (of the 217) were initially referred for domestic 111 (of the 217) were initially referred for domestic violenceviolence

Domestic violence: the most frequent reason for Domestic violence: the most frequent reason for referral to DoCSreferral to DoCS

Prevalence of domestic violence in re-referrals to Prevalence of domestic violence in re-referrals to DoCSDoCS

Different responses to domestic violence referralsDifferent responses to domestic violence referrals

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Summary Study 1 cont’d

Different outcomes Different outcomes

Number of referrals varies in different Number of referrals varies in different community groups community groups

Workplace constraintsWorkplace constraints

The stressful nature of intake workThe stressful nature of intake work

The importance of supervision and training The importance of supervision and training

Knowledge and skills about domestic violence Knowledge and skills about domestic violence essential in child at risk assessmentsessential in child at risk assessments

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Study 2 Study 2 Practitioners speak about domestic Practitioners speak about domestic violence and child protectionviolence and child protection

Study 3 Study 3 Women speak about children and Women speak about children and domestic violencedomestic violence

Study 4Study 4Children and young people speak about Children and young people speak about domestic violencedomestic violence

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Study 2 : Practitioners speak Severe limitations of time and availability of Severe limitations of time and availability of

personnel from police and DoCSpersonnel from police and DoCS

The very limited counselling services The very limited counselling services available to women andavailable to women and

Limited resources, including safe and Limited resources, including safe and suitable accommodationsuitable accommodation

AccommodationAccommodation

The legal interventionThe legal intervention

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Study 3: Women speak about children and domestic violence I went to the police and the policeman said to me ‘Lady you I went to the police and the policeman said to me ‘Lady you

did something wrong. Why did you do that thing?’ And I said, I did something wrong. Why did you do that thing?’ And I said, I didn’t do anything.’didn’t do anything.’

What women and children go through is disgusting. As the What women and children go through is disgusting. As the woman you’re made out to be the person who is the woman you’re made out to be the person who is the perpetrator of violence and it’s all in your head.perpetrator of violence and it’s all in your head.

Workers need to be open-minded and be patient with children Workers need to be open-minded and be patient with children as they are a lot harder to draw out. Children need to be able as they are a lot harder to draw out. Children need to be able to trust workers.to trust workers.

Children should not have to go to court, when a sexual assault Children should not have to go to court, when a sexual assault is reported, the procedures take too long; there should be is reported, the procedures take too long; there should be closed courts or mini courts; children should be spoken to closed courts or mini courts; children should be spoken to alone.alone.

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Study 4: Children and young people speak about domestic violence I used to run to the phone box and call the police when it I used to run to the phone box and call the police when it

happened, go to the neighbours or my Aunties. The first few happened, go to the neighbours or my Aunties. The first few times I would stay with my Mum so he wouldn’t hurt her more.times I would stay with my Mum so he wouldn’t hurt her more.(11 year old female)(11 year old female)

Once I broke up the fighting by walking up to my mum, hugging Once I broke up the fighting by walking up to my mum, hugging her and saying I love you. When I would try and break up the her and saying I love you. When I would try and break up the fights, my dad would leave the house and my mum would stay fights, my dad would leave the house and my mum would stay and sometimes the fight would stop (10 year old male).and sometimes the fight would stop (10 year old male).

‘‘Mum you have to make an ultimatum’, I said, “Either the gun Mum you have to make an ultimatum’, I said, “Either the gun stays in this house or I do cause I’m not staying in this house stays in this house or I do cause I’m not staying in this house with him and a gun”. I said “That’s just a recipe for disaster”. with him and a gun”. I said “That’s just a recipe for disaster”. She said “Well call the police” and so I did and they called and She said “Well call the police” and so I did and they called and took the gun. took the gun. (17 year old female)(17 year old female)

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Sometimes I’d get scared but a lot of the time I’d get Sometimes I’d get scared but a lot of the time I’d get angry. And I’d take it out on him my anger or I’d take angry. And I’d take it out on him my anger or I’d take it out on Mum sometimes too when Mum and him it out on Mum sometimes too when Mum and him moved away. When we moved away from him it was moved away. When we moved away from him it was hard to deal with and used to take my anger out on hard to deal with and used to take my anger out on Mum. Mum. (17 year old male)(17 year old male)

No one helped my mum (8 year old male)No one helped my mum (8 year old male)

My mum had no-one there to help her with anything. My mum had no-one there to help her with anything. (10 year old female)(10 year old female)

I didn’t talk to my sisters about the violence as my I didn’t talk to my sisters about the violence as my mum told me not to. I didn’t talk to my friends either. I mum told me not to. I didn’t talk to my friends either. I used to talk to my mum. No-one helped my mum. used to talk to my mum. No-one helped my mum. (12 year old male)(12 year old male)

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She would help me, ask me all these questions so I She would help me, ask me all these questions so I would know when I was getting upset. ( 8 year old would know when I was getting upset. ( 8 year old male)male)

Me and my brothers are close but we’re not like that Me and my brothers are close but we’re not like that we don’t talk about what’s going on much. I keep my we don’t talk about what’s going on much. I keep my feelings about what’s going on to myself. Or me and feelings about what’s going on to myself. Or me and Mum sit down and talk about it. (17 year old male)Mum sit down and talk about it. (17 year old male)

When I was 14, I met this detective from When I was 14, I met this detective from [name police [name police station]station], and she stood by me. She’s been great, and , and she stood by me. She’s been great, and explains things clearly to me. If I need her, I can explains things clearly to me. If I need her, I can have a chat to her, any questions. Something like have a chat to her, any questions. Something like that is good, but unfortunately, not all police are like that is good, but unfortunately, not all police are like that anymore, especially with young people (16 year that anymore, especially with young people (16 year old female).old female).

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They knew that I was being beaten, and it They knew that I was being beaten, and it was screwing up my mind, and I was angry was screwing up my mind, and I was angry inside, and hurt, and instead they said, “Keep inside, and hurt, and instead they said, “Keep going with it for a few more years”. And going with it for a few more years”. And maybe if I was taken out of home I wouldn’t maybe if I was taken out of home I wouldn’t have got into a relationship with a guy that have got into a relationship with a guy that beat me. Maybe I wouldn’t have tried drugs. beat me. Maybe I wouldn’t have tried drugs. When they finally said, oh god, this girl is When they finally said, oh god, this girl is traumatised, I was on speed, I was traumatised, I was on speed, I was prostituting myself, I w as trying to commit prostituting myself, I w as trying to commit suicide, I went into Yasmin for 6 months. I suicide, I went into Yasmin for 6 months. I was off the rockers by then. Its a bit late to was off the rockers by then. Its a bit late to start helping someone then (16 year old start helping someone then (16 year old female).female).

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We need to people who will listen to us and who will believe us. We need to people who will listen to us and who will believe us. And kids have got to learn that it’s not right. A lot of kids think And kids have got to learn that it’s not right. A lot of kids think that it’s right.. I’d never had a father so I didn’t know what he that it’s right.. I’d never had a father so I didn’t know what he was doing was wrong. I knew I didn’t like it. (13 year old female)was doing was wrong. I knew I didn’t like it. (13 year old female)

Children need someone to talk to outside their family and Children need someone to talk to outside their family and friends and counselling. (11 year old female)friends and counselling. (11 year old female)

I just think there needs to be more people around for kids to talk I just think there needs to be more people around for kids to talk to, like we have counsellors in school and stuff but unless a kid to, like we have counsellors in school and stuff but unless a kid has a problem and a teacher knows about it they don’t get to has a problem and a teacher knows about it they don’t get to talk to anyone. I think there should be counsellors in school who talk to anyone. I think there should be counsellors in school who talk to every individual child and just to see how they’re going. talk to every individual child and just to see how they’re going. Sometimes kids will open up if they trust someone. But if no Sometimes kids will open up if they trust someone. But if no ones talking to them and no ones saying that they’re here for ones talking to them and no ones saying that they’re here for you, they’re not going to say anything. No one told me that they you, they’re not going to say anything. No one told me that they would listen. I’m sure some of the teachers knew what was would listen. I’m sure some of the teachers knew what was going on. They’d have to, they’d be stupid not to. They kind of going on. They’d have to, they’d be stupid not to. They kind of didn’t want to know about it. It’s easier to pretend that didn’t want to know about it. It’s easier to pretend that something’s not happening. If a kid comes up and says they’re something’s not happening. If a kid comes up and says they’re being hurt then they’ve got to do something. (18 year old girl)being hurt then they’ve got to do something. (18 year old girl)

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Good practice guidelines

Individual practitioners -roles and Individual practitioners -roles and responsibilitiesresponsibilities

Agency roles and responsibilitiesAgency roles and responsibilities

Interagency roles and responsibilitiesInteragency roles and responsibilities

Community roles and responsibilitiesCommunity roles and responsibilities