Ensuring the Voice of the Child Is Heard & the Child’s Best Interests Are Considered in Domestic Abuse Cases
Authored by David Mandel, CEO and Founder of the Safe & Together Institute, this paper focuses on ensuring children's voices are heard in domestic abuse cases and how the Safe & Together Model aligns with Articles 3 and 12 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Key points include:
The limitations of a literal interpretation of "voice of the child" when children may be too young, non-verbal, afraid, or manipulated by perpetrators
The importance of a "whole of family" approach that considers multiple pathways to harm beyond just witnessing violence
Three core principles of the Safe & Together Model:
Keeping children safe with non-offending parents
Partnering with protective parents
Intervening with perpetrators to reduce harm to children
The need to focus on perpetrator accountability and recognize protective efforts by survivor parents
Practical approaches for professionals to better understand children's experiences, including specific questions to ask children and collateral contacts