Domestic Violence and Child Contact Arrangements

Abstract

This article outlines the results of an Australian study examining the experiences of 40 women who have had to negotiate and facilitate contact arrangements with an ex-partner who has abused them. Those results are supplemented by findings from interviews with 22 individuals and representatives of bodies professionally involved in the process of facilitating the development or implementation of child contact arrangements. It was found that for most of the women the end of the relationship had not meant an end to violence towards them. Much of that violence was linked in some way to the negotiation or exercise of child contact. It was also found that the protection of women and children was frequently overlooked in the process of negotiating and implementing child contact arrangements.

Keywords: Domestic violence, separation, child contact, family law, protection orders

JEL Classification: K10, K14, K42