To Örebro University

This chapter focuses on risk assessment and risk management for children exposed to intimate partner violence and stalking in post-separation scenarios. The risk, need, and responsivity theory is used to discuss how professionals can address the risk of revictimization for both adults and children. While it is important to consider the perspectives of the perpetrator and the adult victim when assessing and handling the risk for future violence, it is also essential to take the child's perspective into account. Children's views of both their exposure to violence and their perpetrator's risk factors, like substance abuse and mental health issues, are valuable when identifying risk and vulnerability factors for both adults and children. Vulnerability factors such as normalization, social isolation, and fear can impede a child's ability to seek help and reduce their responsiveness to interventions. Protective factors like a social and professional network, along with positive parenting, can shield children from further violence. Professionals should carefully consider the potential impact of each protective and vulnerability factor when developing risk management for children exposed to intimate partner violence or stalking. This will also help to identify the needs of exposed children. The responsivity of the child for the assumed risk management will likely be impacted by it. The chapter advocates for a balanced approach, integrating risk, vulnerability, and protective factors, to effectively prevent violence and meet the needs of all victims, with a special focus on children.

The aim of this systematic integrative review was to review existing research on children in domestic violence shelters, and specifically to examine previous research on how shelters contribute to children’s life situation after leaving a violent home. The review includes 28 scientific articles published between 1984 and 2021. These were thematically analyzed and discussed using a children’s rights perspective to identify strengths and limitations in existing research and social work practice. The analysis resulted in five themes: (1) safety and security, (2) health, behavior, and support, (3) schooling, (4) spare time and shelter environment, and (5) social relationships. Safety and security is a theme of great importance, and if this aspects is lacking, it can adversely affect other areas of the children’s lives. Overall, the children feel safe at the shelters, and they appreciate the playgrounds and activities offered by the shelter. They often make friends at the shelter. The children’s right to be protected from violence appears to be prioritized, but the studies show the importance of also acknowledging children’s rights to support, education, recreational time, and social relationships, to improve their life situation at the shelter.

Given the profound consequences of post-separation violence on the well-being and quality of life of many women and children, protecting victims from further violence is a paramount concern. Understanding the complex challenges faced by women at risk for such violence is crucial for improving strategies for managing this risk and ensuring the safety of these women and children. In Sweden, access to society’s protective interventions often relies on the women actively seeking them. The aim of this study was to analyse the process of protection against post-separation violence as described by women with children in Sweden. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with women who had experienced domestic violence and were assessed with low to moderate risk of revictimization. The interviews explored strategies they employed on their own and the risk management interventions they received. Through thematic analysis, we identified five themes: activating own safety strategies, seeking societal protection, utilizing societal protection, bridging gaps in societal protection, and resigning to live unprotected. Together, they form a process of protection characterized by mothers employing numerous strategies at different phases to safeguard themselves and their children, relying on their own initiative as well as the assistance offered by society. However, despite these efforts, some mothers and children remained unprotected and were obligated to resign to live with post-separation violence. This study underscores the extensive demands placed on women subjected to violence, despite the presence of relatively strong legal rights and a well-developed societal system.

Children exposed to domestic violence (DV) face a heightened risk of many types of short- and long-term problems. Social workers can limit these risks if the support and help they offer is perceived as valuable by the child. The aims of this review were to identify what children exposed to DV value when meeting social workers, to suggest how this knowledge can be used in practice by professionals dedicated to working with these children and to identify and suggest key areas of focus for future research. A synthesis of 18 studies reveals that, in meetings with social workers, children exposed to DV value (1) basic requirements, (2) inclusion, (3) acknowledgement and (4) enjoyment. This review offers a smorgasbord of opportunities for practitioners to meet the wishes and needs of these children. However, comparative research is needed to facilitate adaptation and to distinguish between elements valued by children that are core prerequisites for helping them disclose their experiences and/or aiding their recovery and elements that are less crucial but still valued.

Effective risk management strategies for victims of domestic violence require an adequate risk assessment. While risk assessments for domestic violence typically focus on the adult victim, the risk of children who are exposed to such violence is often overlooked. This study aims to explore what risk, vulnerability and protective factors can be identified through forensic interviews with children exposed to domestic violence. A qualitative latent content analysis was conducted on documented forensic interviews with 41 children. The results show that children reported factors that should be taken into consideration when managing the risk of violence for their mother. In addition, the children's responses suggest the need for a separate risk management plan to address their needs and to protect them from re-victimization. Direct communication with children is crucial to identify factors that are unique to them. These results emphasize the significance of including their perspective in risk assessments for domestic violence to influence the risk management that includes both mothers and their children.

Varje år flyr flera tusen barn tillsammans med en förälder till ett skyddat boende för att undkomma en farlig och våldsam hemmiljö. Vad vet vi om barnens upplevelser av det skyddade boendet?

Skyddade boenden syftar till att ge våldsutsatta vuxna och barn en säker plats att bo på under en begränsad tid tills de ordnat ett mer permanent boende. Under ett år bor cirka 6200 barn på skyddat boende i Sverige och många flyttar långt ifrån sin hemmiljö och sitt sociala sammanhang. Flera barn har också vistats på skyddat boende vid flera tillfällen och spenderar en stor del av sin uppväxt där.

På skyddade boenden prioriteras säkerheten oftast högst vilket kan leda till att många av barns övriga behov glöms bort. Vistelsen på skyddat boende kan variera stort men riktlinjerna är att familjens placering inte ska vara längre än nödvändigt och generellt beviljas de plats på boende allt från en dag upp till sex månader. Flera familjer bor däremot där betydligt längre än så och denna text utgår framför allt ifrån berättelser av barn som vistats på boendet en längre tid.