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Domestic Violence and Its Impact on Children
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Three million children witness domestic violence in their homes every year. Boys who witness domestic violence are two times more likely to abuse their partners as adults. Of those causing intimate partner violence, 30-60% are also abusing their children at home.*
There is no single indicator for mandated reporters to check off for domestic violence. It can even be tricky for caseworkers to identify, as domestic violence is often linked to mental health, substance use, and anger management issues.
So how do we intervene to keep children safe from the damaging effects of domestic violence? Family Counseling Service of the Finger Lakes, Inc. offers a holistic model that serves both victims and perpetrators of domestic violence.
* Prevent Child Abuse America (preventchildabuse.org/)
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What is Domestic Violence?
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The U.S. Department of Justice defines domestic violence or intimate partner violence as “a pattern of abusive behavior in any relationship that is used by one partner to gain or maintain power and control over another intimate partner.” Domestic violence can be verbal, physical, sexual, or psychological.
“A high percentage of suspected child abuse cases called into the Statewide Central Register (SCR) have a domestic violence component,” said Jessica DeFazio, Director of Advocacy Services for Family Counseling Service of the Finger Lakes, Inc.
While there is no direct causation between domestic violence and child abuse/neglect, there is a clear connection.
“Lack of food and financial abuse (where a spouse is not given an allowance, so there is no ability to provide) are examples of some of the risk factors for child neglect,” said DeFazio, “but oftentimes the deeper issue is that domestic violence may be happening at home.”
While the perpetrator’s mental health, substance use or anger management issues may not be the direct cause of the violence, they serve to exacerbate it. An intervention to put supports in place for housing, finances, etc. can only increase a parent’s ability to provide a safe and stable environment for their children.
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Family Counseling Service of the Finger Lakes, Inc.
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“Family Counseling Service of the Finger Lakes provides therapy and advocacy services for primary and secondary victims of domestic violence,” said DeFazio. “We integrate with community partners and schools in five counties (Yates, Seneca, Wayne, Ontario, and Monroe) to reach the underserved, including Spanish and LGBTQ populations.”
Family Counseling Service of the Finger Lakes is largely funded by federal monies for victims of crime, in addition to state funding and fee-for-service. Founded in 1962, the nonprofit organization currently has 70 employees.
“Children witnessing domestic violence in the home may have what appear to be behavioral challenges,” DeFazio said. “Or it may present as psychosomatic issues, where they’re in the nurse’s office all the time.” She advises mandated reporters to always be screening for it, as it may not look like domestic violence on a surface level.
CPS has its own set of screening tools to assess the safety and risk of children in the home. If a call is made to the SCR, a caseworker will review case files prior to a home visit to see if there are previous concerns of domestic violence. If concerns exist, the caseworker is prepared with that knowledge going in, to have a conversation with the assumed adult victim separately and offer community-based services, if needed. If the children are in imminent danger because of the extent of the domestic violence, CPS will work together with the family to mitigate the risk of ongoing domestic violence to ensure the safety of the children.
“If you suspect that an adult is a victim of domestic violence, have that conversation,” encouraged DeFazio, who said that most domestic violence is underreported. “If you’re concerned for their safety, get them linked to services, in addition to calling the SCR.”
No referral is needed to access services. Victims can walk right into an agency location in Canandaigua, Newark or Geneva. Advocates staff a hotline 24/7/365, which is the quickest way to get in touch with the agency. Currently, victim services are not offered in Monroe County, but Willow Domestic Violence Center fills that gap.
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In addition to helping adult survivors of domestic violence, the Family Counseling Service of the Finger Lakes also offers a unique program for perpetrators.
“Since 2010, we were using an accountability program with a curriculum that evidences only a 5% reduction in recidivism.” said DeFazio. “The program was tied to criminal justice sanctions, so there was no real motivation to be in the program—it was essentially shame based.”
In 2023, Family Counseling Service of the Finger Lakes introduced the Strength at Home model which is evidence-based, unlike the former programming.
“The reason we service the perpetrator in addition to the victim is to get to the root of the issue,” explained DeFazio. “We will always offer crisis intervention services, but we can’t continue to turn a blind eye to the other population. We need to stop the intergenerational trauma. The only way to do that is to support the entire family unit to reach the person who is perpetrating the violence.”
The Strength at Home model has seen a 66% reduction in physical and psychological aggression with its participants. There is a six-month post-follow-up and substance use component that work together with the intervention to reduce intimate partner violence. The program is only one of a few offered in New York and the organization receives referrals from all over the state and the country.
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“One in three women will experience domestic violence in their lifetime,” said DeFazio. “Typically, the red flags to look for are emotional abuse, name calling, and the isolation of family and friends.”
Crisis intervention services are essential for addressing domestic violence and child abuse, so it’s important to stay vigilant and recognize the signs. However, primary prevention is equally important for long-term change.
“Offering support to families in your community,” said DeFazio, “can make all the difference. Connecting them with resources like childcare, mental health services, food banks, and access to affordable housing will help struggling families to create a safe, stable, and nurturing environment for their children.”
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