Social Work Now, Issue 47, pages 27-34.
New Zealand is no different from many other countries in the levels of violent and abusive behaviour within households. Most practitioners working within the social services sector will be confronted regularly with the multifaceted dynamics that arise from complex and violent relationships between family members. In fact, the prevalence of violence within families is such that, whether through a professional or personal role, each of us will have been touched by the issue in some way.
“Intimate violence is a pervasive experience, colouring all aspects of family life for those directly or indirectly involved” (Denzin, 1984, cited in Goldblatt, 2003, p. 533). It is within this context that social workers are often engaged to support those family members who are involved. However, it is the role of the child protection worker to ensure the wellbeing of those children and young people who are living with violence in their family. Through that child maltreatment lens, this article explores effective responses to family violence when focused on the protection of children and young people.