Childhood experiences of intimate partner violence (CEIPV) can have serious long-term impacts, yet many young people (YP) do not receive timely or appropriate interventions. Limited clinical understanding of the competencies required for effective practice contributes to this gap. This paper presents findings from the CEIPV component of a larger study that used a multi-pronged approach to identify and define clinical competencies for IPV practice. Specifically, it focuses on simulation-based research designed to elicit and observe competencies in action, bridging the gap between theory and practice. Two youth standardized client simulations (SCS) were developed, and 19 professionals with CEIPV-specific experience participated in at least one scenario. Thirty 20-minute sessions were recorded, followed by reflective surveys and video-elicitation interviews. Thematic analysis of 30 transcripts was triangulated with a concurrent literature review and Delphi method process. This paper illustrates how observed competencies manifest in practice and subsequently maps them onto the final competency framework developed through the broader study. Findings inform curriculum development, assessment, and supervision for professionals supporting YP impacted by CEIPV.

Prior research has extensively discussed the issue of chronic offending, where a small group of individuals are repeatedly charged by police and are involved in large numbers of criminal offences. Considerably less research explores individuals who are chronically involved with the police for non-criminal reasons. Using police records data, the current study describes the chronic police involvement for both criminal and non-criminal police involved populations. Using a prospective longitudinal design, a baseline sample of 31,755 individuals who were involved with police in 2015, were followed through the police record until 2020. Chronic offenders made up 3.3% of the overall police involved population and were involved in close to one third of all police interactions and over half of all criminal offences. A second group, chronic non-offenders, were also shown to be chronically involved with policing services, but for non-criminal matters. These individuals made up 3.5% of the overall police involved population and were involved in approximately ten percent of all police interactions. Both the chronic offending and chronic non-offending groups differed on measures of demographics and non-criminal police involvement. Policy and practice implications surrounding the use of police data for improved service coordination and prevention insights are discussed.

Simulation-based learning (SBL) effectively teaches competency-based skills in social work education, allowing students to practice, reflect, and process their knowledge to improve practice. This study examined the use of SBL to support clinical practice development for both live (online) and virtual gaming simulation (VGS) experiences to enhance responses to childhood experiences of intimate partner violence (CEIPV). 68 students were recruited from a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) course between 2020 and 2024. Participants engaged in either two live (online) simulated client scenarios (SCS) (n = 52) or two live (online) SCS with an additional VGS experience (n = 16) containing the same scenarios with opportunities to practice different responses and observe best practices. Data in the form of reflective practice and observationally coded evaluations of clinical competency performance was gathered before and after the course. Students significantly improved their skills when practicing with SCS, and preliminary evidence suggests better outcomes when students practiced the scenario through VGS. Using both live and virtual SBL is a promising approach to enhancing social work competence. Implications for social work education will be discussed.

A significant portion of child welfare cases in Canada involve domestic violence (DV). This study illuminates survivors experiences with child welfare services (CWS) in safeguarding themselves and their children from DV. Employing narrative analysis, this work draws on in-depth interviews with 16 diverse women who endured near lethal DV and who shared 32 distinct stories of involvement with CWS. Through iterative readings of survivors’ accounts, patterns and variations in survivors’ experiences with CWS were identified and summarized in the form of reconstructed narratives. The narrative DV recognized reveals the transformative potential of CWS associated with workers’ recognition of DV-related risks and harms and with CWS actions taken to connect survivor mothers with supports and resources in a manner that protected their autonomy and agency. Unfortunately, more common narratives described survivors’ dissatisfaction with CWS and their negative safety outcomes. DV unseen emphasizes the disconnect between survivors’ needs and their experiences of CWS responses that occur when there is a lack of recognition and understanding the dynamics of DV. Exacerbated challenges with family law involvement characterizes ways in which involvement with the family law system leads to disengagement and withdrawal of CWS support and may increase potential harm to survivors and children. Findings underscore the importance for CWS of recognizing the dynamics of DV and using collaborative, survivor-centered approaches to support adult and child survivor safety. They also emphasize the need to develop models of service to bridge the current disconnect between the CWS and family law systems.

Family violence and coercive control are increasingly being recognized in legislation and practice as critical factors to consider in determining children's best interests in making appropriate post-separation parenting arrangements. Professional practices have also become more trauma and violence-informed and better able to recognize and respond to the impact of violence on survivors and their children. Assessing the validity and context of family violence allegations is critical for making appropriate post-separation parenting arrangements. In cases where there are family violence concerns, court responses need to take account of the potential harm that perpetrators present to the children and the other parent. Findings of family violence should lead to a differentiated approach to parenting arrangements depending on the severity and history of family violence and coercive control, the timing of the disclosures, and the resources available to address safety for the adult victim and children. Arrangements may vary according to the potential need for restrictive parenting time, and may include supervised exchanges, supervised parenting, or no parenting time. This article reviews literature and legal developments to proposes a framework for better understanding and responding to continuing post-separation effects of domestic violence and coercive control.

This commentary provides an historical overview of work on children exposed to domestic violence across three generations of researchers in Ontario, Canada (PhDs completed in 1974, 2001, 2020). We focus on those children who never recover from the violence, namely, children killed in the context of domestic violence. Although recovery and resilience are critical areas of research and practice, not all children survive. Children who lose their lives to domestic violence are often overlooked as “collateral” victims in family homicides. It is equally important to examine the emerging data from domestic violence death review committees that point out an overwhelming number of risk factors and missed opportunities to intervene by the community, with special attention on the role of child protection. This research aligns with the articles in this special issue on the identification of the problems in the field, solutions to prevent child homicides and the challenges in the implementation of change. We draw attention to our recent review of the failure to implement repeated death review recommendations over a decade in our jurisdiction and the roadmap needed for significant changes in the child protection system.

Since 2003, all domestic violence-related homicides in Ontario, Canada have been reviewed by an interdisciplinary committee. This committee conducts in-depth analyses to help understand what may have been done differently, with hindsight, and make recommendations to prevent similar tragedies in the future. This study examined all recommendations made by the Ontario Domestic Violence Death Review Committee over a 10-year period (2010–2020). This study undertook a thematic analysis of all recommendations provided within 219 domestic homicide case reviews. Using a multistep coding process, several recurring themes were found across 400 recommendations. Results of this study identified consistent themes related to public awareness, professional education and enhanced systems, community agency collaboration and risk assessment, safety planning, and risk management. These themes parallel findings by similar research studies undertaken in the United States, parts of the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand. Ongoing challenges in the implementation of these recommendations and an evaluation of the impact of this work in reducing homicides is discussed.

Intervention with fathers who commit family violence is an essential but often overlooked part of effective family court proceedings. This article provides an overview of how evidence-informed engagement with fathers around family violence can complement family court efforts to achieve safe and healthy outcomes for children. The focus on fathers is not based on bias against fathers, men, or masculinity, but rather it is consistent with the fact that fathers comprise a substantial proportion of those who use family violence. These men need more effective engagement and interventions. Fathers in these circumstances need to be engaged in services that can assess, monitor, and manage ongoing family violence and risk as well as develop skills to form more positive, healthy relationships with their children and children's mothers. Courts, in turn, need to consider evidence of accountability and change. Application and continued development of the strategies recommended herein would enhance the safety of mothers who experience violence, their children, and the well-being of fathers who have used family violence. Collaboration with community partners serving families must become cornerstones in promoting the safety for and with all family members. Intervention with fathers who use family violence is an essential part of family court proceedings.There are evidence-based programs for treating people who use family violence in their roles as intimate partners and parents.Evidence of change in fathers is crucial to decisions to drop supervision and increase parenting time.Effective family court intervention requires collaboration with community agencies providing services for children and parents living with family violence.Communities of practice may be a good model to foster enhanced collaboration.

Purpose Childhood experiences of intimate partner violence (CEIPV) is common, but youth voices are underrepresented in such research, and little is known about what they find helpful in counselling. The purpose of this research was to engage youth with lived experience to address the following questions: (1) What do youth with CEIPV identify as key competencies needed for CEIPV service providers? And (2) How can youth participatory action research (YPAR) (and participatory methods) be utilized to enhance research on CEIPV? This article is focused on the YPAR process and addressing the second research question. Methods Utilizing a YPAR approach, 12 Canadian youth were engaged as members of the research team to include their voices, perspectives, and experiences in addressing the research questions. Results Youth researchers highlighted strategies and principles to engage youth meaningfully in YPAR. These were: (1) recognizing and valuing lived experience as expertise; (2) recognizing the diversity in youths’ experiences, skills, and strengths; (3) creating a safe space with no judgement; and (4) having adult researchers committed to the process and not just the outcomes of the research. Conclusions The YPAR process used in the current study is an example of how youth with lived expertise successfully engage in research. Reflecting on what worked in the current study, youth researchers provided recommendations to improve youth engagement. When safety and relationships are prioritized, and youth feel heard and respected, they note finding value in participatory research to counter the impact CEIPV has had on their lives.

Purpose People experiencing intimate partner violence (IPV) often seek, or are referred to, specialized service providers such as shelter workers, counsellors in programs for children exposed to IPV, and facilitators for men’s behaviour change programs. This paper discusses the process of collaborating with service providers and survivors across Canada to articulate the often-unrecognized knowledge and skills of IPV specialists. Methods Work included a scoping review and analysis of 140 academic and practice papers, interviews with 62 expert service providers, eight Delphi-method surveys and over 70 hours of collaborative discussion with expert working groups of experienced service providers and survivors. Results Areas of knowledge and skill were drafted based on the review of literature and analysis of interviews with experienced service providers, then rated in Delphi surveys, and discussed by expert working groups. Consensus was reached on the Flourishing Practice Model which identifies nine areas of capability shared across IPV specialists, as well as unique knowledge and skills used to support and collaborate with survivors, recognize and respond to infant, child and youth experiences of violence and intervene to end abusive behaviours. The “stem” recognizes the critical role of IPV specialist organizations and leaders in supporting service providers’ capabilities. “Blank petals” are included to signify expertise that has not yet been documented and to recognize ongoing growth. Conclusions The combination of methods and processes allowed for the integration of research and practice knowledge with survivor and service provider voices to gain deeper insight into the knowledge and skills of IPV specialists.

Trauma- and violence-informed care (TVIC) has become an important lens to guide health and social services. TVIC emphasizes service providers’ understanding of trauma and its impact, including structural aspects of victimization. Emotionally and physically safe environments, service user opportunities for choice, collaboration and connection, and the use of strengths-based and capacity-building approaches are prioritized. The majority of writing on TVIC has focused on its application to services for survivors of trauma and abuse. In this paper, we argue that a modified trauma-and violence-informed lens has the potential to improve our work with men who perpetrate violence in interpersonal relationships, and even more importantly, that without such a lens, we are likely to miss very important opportunities to act in ways that enhance the safety of potential victims of abuse. Using examples drawn from practice, we explore specific examples of how applying TVIC principles may increase service providers’ ability to recognize and respond to potentially dangerous situations, thereby improving services to perpetrators and enhancing safety for potential victims of abuse.

The co-occurrence of domestic violence with alcohol and other drugs significantly increases the severity of abuse and violence experienced by family members. Longitudinal studies indicate that substance use is one of few predictors of men’s continued use of, or desistance from, violence. Recent developments in men’s behaviour change programs have focused on men’s attitudes and behaviour towards their children, and the exploration of interventions that address the needs of all family members. However, the research evidence is limited on the most effective elements of men’s behaviour change programs in promoting the safety and wellbeing of child and women victim survivors. This study aims to build on the existing evidence by trialling the KODY program which addresses harmful substance use by men who also perpetrate domestic violence; the safety and wellbeing of women and children; the needs of children in their own right, as well as in relationship with their mothers; and the development of an ‘all-of-family’ service response. The evaluation of these innovations, and the ramifications for policy development to support less fragmented service system responses, provide the rationale for the study. A quasi-experimental design will be used to assess the primary outcomes of improving the safety and wellbeing of mothers and children whose (ex)partners and fathers respectively participate in KODY (the trial program), when compared with ‘Caring Dads standard’ (the comparison group). Psychometric tests will be administered to fathers and mothers at baseline, post-program and at 3-month follow up. Data collection will occur over three years. By building the evidence base about responses to co-occurring domestic violence and substance use, this study aims to develop knowledge about improving safety outcomes for women and children, and to better understand appropriate support for children in families living at the intersection of domestic violence and substance use. It is anticipated that study findings will point to the ramifications for policy development to support less fragmented service system responses. An application for registration with the Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ( https://www.anzctr.org.au/ ) was lodged on 20 December 2021 (Request number: 383206)—prospectively registered.

BACKGROUND:Individuals experiencing and perpetrating intimate partner violence (IPV) are frequently in contact with general health and mental health services. Health service providers, including nurses, thus have a key role in identifying and responding to initial indicators of IPV risk. PURPOSE:The present study provides descriptive information about current assessment and intervention practices of health and mental health service providers when patients are presenting with concerns about IPV. METHODS:A secondary data analysis of interviews with general health practitioners (n = 17) were coded and dominant themes analyzed through thematic analysis. RESULTS:The present study uncovered ways in which IPV-related risks are, and are not, recognized and responded to. A metaphorical visual display in the form of a "domestic violence supply room" depicts the level of access and degree of competency described by practitioners in respective areas of practice. Within reach for all practitioners is the knowledge of factors that increase risk and vulnerability to IPV. Out of reach is a comprehensive understanding of the needs of children and perpetrators as well as the consistent ability to consider intersectionality and be reflexive when working with culturally and linguistically diverse populations. The step ladder to improved IPV response, including formal supports such as training and procedures, is frequently described as lacking. CONCLUSIONS:A consistent and empirically supported approach to IPV assessment and response is rare to find across generalist service provision. Although service providers possess basic knowledge of risk factors, organizational direction is needed to allow providers to address IPV confidently and effectively.

ObjectivesAdolescents with MDD demonstrate preclinical markers of cardiovascular disease. A hypothesized mechanism of this association is through inflammatory pathways. In addition, exposure to psychosocial stressors, such as parent-child conflictual relationships, is a key risk factor for depression and heightened levels of inflammation; however, the mechanism through which these factors interact is less clear. This study examines the interactive effects of depression and parent-child conflict on inflammation in youth.MethodsPatients aged 8 to 17 years who were referred to the Hospital for Sick Children for a primary concern or presenting problem of depression (n = 115; 74% female) were recruited to participate. Psychiatrically healthy participants served as the control group (n = 60; 53% female). Depressive symptoms and parent-child conflict were measured using the Centre for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale for Children (CES-DC) and Conflict Behavior Questionnaire (CBQ), respectively. C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin 6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) were measured as inflammatory biomarkers. Linear regression analyses assessed the interactive effects. The model also included age, sex, and maternal education as covariates.ResultsParent-child conflict and depression interact and are significantly associated with CRP (p < .01). The model accounts for a significant amount of the variance of levels of CRP (η2 = 0.12). The association between conflict and CRP is significant only at low levels of depression (p < .01). When depressive symptoms are low, having greater parent-child conflict is associated with having higher levels of CRP. The interaction between depression and conflict was not significant when examining levels of IL–6 (β = .20, ns) or TNF–α (β = -0.41, ns).ConclusionsDepression and parent-child conflict in youth interact and are associated with levels of CRP, such that at low levels of depression, there is a stronger association between parent-child conflict and inflammation than at higher levels of depression. Low parent-child conflict potentially represents a protective factor for youth with low levels of depressive symptoms. Parent-child conflict may be an important target for intervention among children with low levels of depressive symptoms to improve physical health outcomes.DDD, FAM, CVF ObjectivesAdolescents with MDD demonstrate preclinical markers of cardiovascular disease. A hypothesized mechanism of this association is through inflammatory pathways. In addition, exposure to psychosocial stressors, such as parent-child conflictual relationships, is a key risk factor for depression and heightened levels of inflammation; however, the mechanism through which these factors interact is less clear. This study examines the interactive effects of depression and parent-child conflict on inflammation in youth. Adolescents with MDD demonstrate preclinical markers of cardiovascular disease. A hypothesized mechanism of this association is through inflammatory pathways. In addition, exposure to psychosocial stressors, such as parent-child conflictual relationships, is a key risk factor for depression and heightened levels of inflammation; however, the mechanism through which these factors interact is less clear. This study examines the interactive effects of depression and parent-child conflict on inflammation in youth. MethodsPatients aged 8 to 17 years who were referred to the Hospital for Sick Children for a primary concern or presenting problem of depression (n = 115; 74% female) were recruited to participate. Psychiatrically healthy participants served as the control group (n = 60; 53% female). Depressive symptoms and parent-child conflict were measured using the Centre for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale for Children (CES-DC) and Conflict Behavior Questionnaire (CBQ), respectively. C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin 6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) were measured as inflammatory biomarkers. Linear regression analyses assessed the interactive effects. The model also included age, sex, and maternal education as covariates. Patients aged 8 to 17 years who were referred to the Hospital for Sick Children for a primary concern or presenting problem of depression (n = 115; 74% female) were recruited to participate. Psychiatrically healthy participants served as the control group (n = 60; 53% female). Depressive symptoms and parent-child conflict were measured using the Centre for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale for Children (CES-DC) and Conflict Behavior Questionnaire (CBQ), respectively. C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin 6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) were measured as inflammatory biomarkers. Linear regression analyses assessed the interactive effects. The model also included age, sex, and maternal education as covariates. ResultsParent-child conflict and depression interact and are significantly associated with CRP (p < .01). The model accounts for a significant amount of the variance of levels of CRP (η2 = 0.12). The association between conflict and CRP is significant only at low levels of depression (p < .01). When depressive symptoms are low, having greater parent-child conflict is associated with having higher levels of CRP. The interaction between depression and conflict was not significant when examining levels of IL–6 (β = .20, ns) or TNF–α (β = -0.41, ns). Parent-child conflict and depression interact and are significantly associated with CRP (p < .01). The model accounts for a significant amount of the variance of levels of CRP (η2 = 0.12). The association between conflict and CRP is significant only at low levels of depression (p < .01). When depressive symptoms are low, having greater parent-child conflict is associated with having higher levels of CRP. The interaction between depression and conflict was not significant when examining levels of IL–6 (β = .20, ns) or TNF–α (β = -0.41, ns). ConclusionsDepression and parent-child conflict in youth interact and are associated with levels of CRP, such that at low levels of depression, there is a stronger association between parent-child conflict and inflammation than at higher levels of depression. Low parent-child conflict potentially represents a protective factor for youth with low levels of depressive symptoms. Parent-child conflict may be an important target for intervention among children with low levels of depressive symptoms to improve physical health outcomes.DDD, FAM, CVF Depression and parent-child conflict in youth interact and are associated with levels of CRP, such that at low levels of depression, there is a stronger association between parent-child conflict and inflammation than at higher levels of depression. Low parent-child conflict potentially represents a protective factor for youth with low levels of depressive symptoms. Parent-child conflict may be an important target for intervention among children with low levels of depressive symptoms to improve physical health outcomes.

BACKGROUND:In Canada, two of the most common forms of maltreatment substantiated by child protective services are child exposure to domestic violence and child physical abuse. Fathers are identified as the parent responsible for a substantial proportion of this maltreatment.OBJECTIVE:This study examined whether providing a group-based intervention program for fathers was associated with greater engagement of fathers in child protection case management and with lower rates of subsequent father-perpetrated abuse.PARTICIPANTS:A quasi-experimental design compared child protection outcomes in families in which fathers were referred to an intervention program (Caring Dads) and either completed the group (n = 85) or remained on a waitlist for future service (n = 100).METHODS:Data were collected from a retrospective review of administrative files over two years, starting from the time of referral to Caring Dads.RESULTS:Initial comparisons found no significant differences in intervention and comparison group fathers in demographic characteristics, child protection concerns, and all but one area of risk and needs. Completing intervention, as compared to being waitlisted, was associated with a greater number of contacts between child protection workers and fathers over two years (M = 30.3 vs. M = 16.7), a difference that was significant and large in size (d = 0.81) and with lower rates of verified re-referral due to fathers' maltreatment (20.5% vs. 36.0%), a difference that was significant and between small and medium in size (V = 0.17).CONCLUSIONS:Current results suggest that there may be significant benefits of involving fathers in child protection-linked intervention.

Empirical literature on strategies to effectively recruit participants for research is sparse, especially within the domestic violence domain. Evaluating recruitment methodology alongside researcher effort, time, and costs provides realistic guidelines for research planning. This study examined recruitment of fathers with and without a history of domestic violence perpetration into longitudinal research. Data were collected on 196 fathers we attempted to recruit for Time 1 assessment and 151 fathers we attempted to retain for Time 2 assessment over an eight-month timeframe. Results indicated that domestically violent fathers required similar efforts to recruit initially but required more effort for follow-up and that recruitment for father-child and mother assessments with this group was particularly challenging. Tests of two specific recruitment strategies demonstrate advantages of in-person and immediate scheduling of research appointments. Descriptive information is provided on the time and resources required for recruiting high-risk fathers into research and recommendations for conducting future research with this population are provided.