Psychologists support Commission’s call to protect children exposed to family violence

Psychologists support Commission’s call to protect children exposed to family violence. Children affected by family violence at risk of psychological and behavioural problems

The Australian Psychological Society (APS) welcomes the report from the Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) examining how children are affected by family violence, and supports its recommendations.

The AHRC’s National Children’s Commissioner’s Children’s Rights Report 2015, which wastabled in Parliament on 1 December and will be officially launched on 7 December, calls for better protection of child victims of family violence.

In its submission to the Commissioner’s Inquiry, the APS stressed that violence against children, either directly or indirectly, is interconnected with violence against women and likely to co-occur.

APS Manager of Professional Practice, Heather Gridley, says “Family violence hurts children whether they are directly targeted, witness violence or whether they experience fear and disruptions within caregiving relationships. Healthy family relationships are safe and protective so seeing a “frightened” parent or a parent acting in a “frightening” way is destabilising for children.”

She says children who live with violence are at risk for psychological and behavioural problems, with research suggesting that the effects of family violence can manifest differently depending on the developmental stage of the child.

“Not all children are equally affected by the violence, with some at serious risk of harm or even death, while others are less affected because of specific protective factors that appear to mediate harm,” says Ms Gridley.

The APS says separation and divorce may protect children from ongoing exposure to a violent parent, but cautioned that family court processes need strengthening to better include the voices and experiences of children, and protect their safety.

Ms Gridley says, “The right of the child to safety should be the primary consideration, over and above ongoing relationships with both parents, or expectations of shared care after separation.”

The Commissioner’s report echoed APS recommendations to resource specialist family violence services that focus on children’s therapeutic needs and that assess, support and keep mothers and children together.

The report was also in line with APS recommendations to expand housing options available to children and their mothers escaping family violence, and a collaborative approach with Indigenous researchers and communities to address family violence in Indigenous communities.