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Don’t blame domestic violence victims in child welfare cases

DCF should be guided by best practices.

By The Editorial BoardUpdated September 20, 2023, 4:00 a.m. In cases involving domestic violence, DCF’s first obligation is to protect the child. But there are options that do not punish the parent who survived domestic violence. In cases involving domestic violence, DCF’s first obligation is to protect the child. But there are options that do not punish the parent who survived domestic violence.Wilfredo Lee/Associated Press It is one of the toughest challenges in the difficult field of child welfare — protecting children in homes where there is domestic violence while not punishing a non-abusive parent for being a victim.

A recent Globe story reported that in Massachusetts, advocates say the Department of Children and Families too often blames victims. The story profiled a mother, Lisa, who DCF said neglected her child — a finding that hurt her ability to get a job — because she fled to a next-door apartment when her partner tried to attack her, briefly leaving her sleeping baby alone.

While DCF’s first obligation is to protect the child, there are options that do not punish a parent who survived domestic violence. Studies show one of the best ways to ensure a child’s resilience in a home with domestic violence is to ensure they have a strong positive bond with the non-offending parent. DCF’s policies should reflect that goal, and the agency should work to strengthen, not sever, the bond between a child and a non-abusive parent.