From Property to Personhood: What the Legal System Should Do for Children in Family Violence Cases
101 Pages Posted: 7 Oct 2007
Abstract
This article examines the impact of witnessing domestic violence on children and provides suggestions for how the legal system could better meet the needs of child witnesses to domestic violence. The article first surveys the social science research on childhood exposure to domestic violence. It then discusses how children are treated in the context of child custody and visitation disputes. Next, the article examines the treatment of children as testimonial witnesses and offers statutory and procedural strategies for protecting children who testify in matters involving adult domestic violence. Finally, the article considers how representation for children and the provision of supportive services can help to ensure the long-term health and well being of children exposed to domestic violence.
Keywords: domestic violence, children
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