In Whose Best Interest? A Canadian Case Study of the Impact of Child Welfare Policies in Cases of Domestic Violence

Abstract

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Mothering in the context of domestic violence: the pervasiveness of a deficit model of mothering

“…Practices that draw upon a deficit model of mothering are likely to be experienced by women as punitive, particularly if they are not followed by more positive practical and emotional support strategies. They are also likely to discourage abused women from reaching out for assistance (DeVoe & Smith 2003; Peckover 2003; Alaggia et al. 2007).…”

“…Moreover, few women reported that they had been able to identify service providers with appropriate expertise to support them and their children. Research also shows that women who are marginalized on the basis of class, sexual orientation, race, immigration status and ability may face greater barriers in seeking help and accessing services for themselves and for their children (Alaggia et al. 2007).…”

Mothers Affected by Domestic Violence: Intersections and Opportunities with the Justice System

“…Negative experiences were far more common for these women and reflected the convoluted bureaucratic system and ineffectual services that made it challenging for them to access effective support within the criminal justice system, as well as negative attitudes and ineffective systems that left them feeling revictimized. These findings further highlight the challenges of the justice system to effectively support survivors of domestic violence who report their abuse (Cerulli et al 2011;Gillis et al 2006;Lutenbacher et al 2003), as well as the reluctance of abused women to disclose or seek services for their families (Alaggia, et al 2007). …”

Children’s best interests and intimate partner violence in the Canadian family law and child protection systems

“…Qualitative interviews with mothers who are CPS clients in Canada and the United States demonstrate that the interviewees believe that social workers made them accountable for IPV, as the workers pressured them to leave their abusive partners but did not offer any concrete assistance or resources that would allow them to leave safely (Alaggia et al, 2007;Johnson and Sullivan, 2008;Shim and Haight, 2006). A recent study from Ireland documents similar findings as women reported that CPS workers failed to understand the dynamics of IPV and expected them to be able to easily leave their partners and homes; they, too, reported that they did not receive help in making these changes (Buckley et al, 2011).…”