Childhood Exposure to Domestic Violence and the Legal System: Moving Towards Statutory Reform

Abstract

Through this analysis, I seek to examine past and current efforts at statutory reform that characterize children's exposure to domestic violence as a form of child abuse or neglect. This may take the form of expanding a codified definition of child maltreatment, or simply informal policies and practices of an agency. I evaluate the soundness of these various child protection strategies from theoretical and practical standpoints, culminating in a recommendation of the policy initiatives that are most likely to achieve the stated goals while minimizing unintended negative consequences. [From Introduction]