Research Based Recommendations for Child Custody Evaluation Practices and Policies in Cases of Intimate Partner Violence

Saunders, Daniel G.

doi:10.1080/15379418.2015.1037052

Cited by 36Intimate Partner and Family ViolenceChild Welfare and AdoptionFamily and Matrimonial Law

Research Based Recommendations for Child Custody Evaluation Practices and Policies in Cases of Intimate Partner Violence

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Saunders, Daniel G.·2015·Journal of Child Custody

DOI 10.1080/15379418.2015.1037052

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Abstract

This article reviews recent research on child custody evaluations in intimate partner violence (IPV) cases. Specifically, it covers assessment methods, evaluator selection, evaluator education, guidelines, differential assessment, and state policies. Special attention is given to new methods of bias reduction, the need to focus on coercive and controlling abuse, and the need to interpret psychological tests within a trauma framework. Recommendations are made in each area reviewed.

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IPV, child maltreatment and children's exposure to IPV are frequently minimized or underdetected in family court proceedings, which has lasting consequences for survivors.
“IPV, child maltreatment and children's exposure to IPV are frequently minimized or underdetected in family court proceedings, which has lasting consequences for survivors (Khaw et al., 2021; Meier, 2020; Saunders, 2015).”
From Post‐separation abuse: A concept analysis (2023) · cites this paper as Saunders, 2015
The “Detection of Abuse” section (page unavailable) says professionals fail to detect IPV in many custody-visitation proceedings. The paper also reports that detected IPV may make little difference to custody outcomes and that unsafe custody or visitation can seriously harm victims and children. It does not establish that child maltreatment and children’s exposure to IPV are themselves frequently underdetected, or specifically document lasting consequences for survivors from that underdetection. (LLM, conf=0.84)
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Authors: Saunders, D. G.
Affiliations: University of Michigan (US)
Corresponding author: Saunders, Daniel G.
ORCID: Saunders, Daniel G.
Venue: Journal of Child Custody
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Published: 2015-01-02
Volume: 12
Issue: 1
Pages: 71-92
ISSN: 1537-940X (ISSN-L)
1537-9418
DOI: 10.1080/15379418.2015.1037052
OpenAlex: W1514248508
Cited by: 36
References: 97
Citations by year: 2026: 1 · 2025: 1 · 2024: 1 · 2023: 3 · 2022: 5 · 2021: 4 · 2020: 5 · 2019: 1 · 2018: 5 · 2017: 2 · 2016: 3 · 2015: 4
FWCI: 5.82
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: green
hdl.handle.net
Licence: public-domain
Locations: Journal of Child Custody (publishedVersion)
Deep Blue (University of Michigan) (submittedVersion, public-domain)
Topics: Social Sciences › Health › Intimate Partner and Family Violence
Social Sciences › Safety Research › Child Welfare and Adoption
Social Sciences › Law › Family and Matrimonial Law
Keywords: child custody evaluation, intimate partner violence, evaluator selection, bias mitigation, psychological testing, differential assessment

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Research Based Recommendations for Child Custody Evaluation Practices and Policies in Cases of Intimate Partner Violence

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