Frequently Asked Questions

If you are in need of information regarding this website or issues relating to battered women and children exposed to domestic violence, please review the contents of this page. We hope your questions are answered here. If they are not, please send your technical assistance questions to our staff via the MINCAVA email submission form.

Because we are an online resource, our services are limited to electronic information delivery. We do not provide direct or emergency assistance for persons experiencing violence; therefore, we do not provide counseling services, financial assistance, or legal advice. If you are seeking such assistance, contact the authorities or resources in your area. (Please see Programs for more information.) Keep in mind that if someone has access to your computer, you may want to read "How an abuser can discover your Internet activities", from the American Bar Association, before contacting someone for help.

• Website questions

• Research questions

• Survivor questions

• What is the purpose of this website?
• I want to have my article published. Can I submit it to you? In what format do you want it? What else do you need from me?
• Can you give me more information about an article or author?
• How can I get copyright permission for an article that appears on this site?

What is the purpose of this website?
The purpose of this website is to support education, research and access to information on the link between child maltreatment and woman battering. This site is a subsite of the Minnesota Center Against Violence and Abuse Electronic Clearinghouse and is housed out of the School of Social Work, University of Minnesota.
Those interested in more information about MINCAVA or this website can contact us at:
MINCAVA
105 Peters Hall
1404 Gortner Avenue
St. Paul, MN 55108-6142
contact: http://www.mincava.umn.edu/mail/
tel: 612-624-0721, in Minnesota 1-800-646-2282

I want to publish an article. Can I submit it to you? In what format do you want it? What else do you need from me?

You may share submissions with the Center on disk or via email preferrably in Word, though we can accept other formats as well. The documents do not need to be coded for html. You must also submit information about yourself - relevant background, current position, education, expertise related to topic, etc. The Center reserves the right to choose only those submissions that reflect the focus, scope and quality of Center activities and documents. Go to the MINCAVA Electronic Clearinghouse, our Mother website, for instructions on preparing documents for online placement.

Can you give me more information about an article or author?
If you would like information about a particular article or author, please contact us via the MINCAVA email submission form. Be specific in your request. Mention all pertinent information that you have available including but not limited to the author's name, title of the article, article's URL, etc.

Keep in mind that we do not mail out hard copies of articles that appear on our website. Some articles are available in print by contacting the author or publisher.

How can I get copyright permission for an article that appears on this site?
Material on this website may be reproduced for private use on the following conditions:

• The entire name of the article, the website URL, the author(s)' name(s), and the date the article was published are clearly indicated on the reproduced article.
• The reproduced material is not sold for profit.

Cites in text should be cited in accordance with acceptable academic style and include the name of the article, author(s)' name(s), publication date if available, and URL (http:// location), along with the date that the material was retrieved. It is important to use as complete a URL address as possible. For example, the citation for the article "Do Batterers' Programs Work?" would look like this:

Edleson, Jeffrey L. (1995). "Do Batterers' Programs Work?" (retrieved from the World Wide Web, http://www.mincava.umn.edu/papers/battrx.htm, [retrieval date]).

Any other use of material on this website requires the written permission of the individual author.

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• What is domestic violence anyway?
• Where can I find out about the overlap between child maltreatment and domestic violence?
• How often are children exposed to domestic violence?
• Are all children harmed by exposure to or witnessing of domestic violence?
• Where can I find out about promising practices for agencies addressing situations where there is both domestic violence and child maltreatment?
• What is "alternative response" or differential response" in child protection and how might it be a useful response to families where there is domestic violence?
• When a child lives in a home where he or she is exposed to domestic violence, should a report be made to child protection authorities by mandated reporters?
• Where can I find out more about programs and agencies that are addressing the needs of battered women and their children?
• Where can I find out more about trainers or training materials and curriculum for training of domestic violence advocates and child protection workers?
• Where can I find out more about model practice protocols, agreements, and tools for service responses to families where children may be exposed to domestic violence?
• Is there information available about how to deal with custody and visitation issues in domestic disputes where there has been a history of domestic violence?

What is domestic violence anyway?
Domestic violence is a systematic pattern of behavior in a relationship that is used to gain and/or maintain control over another. This abuse can be emotional, financial, psychological, sexual, or physical. Without professional assistance, this pattern of behavior typically escalates in frequency and severity. To learn more about domestic violence, you can find a complete listing of the domestic violence articles appearing on the MINCAVA Electronic Clearinghouse website at http://www.mincava.umn.edu/library/dv/.

Other organizations that may be helpful in providing information include:

• National Coalition Against Domestic Violence online at http://ncadv.org
• Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence online at http://www.pcadv.org
• Sexual Assault Information Page online at http://www.cs.utk.edu/~bartley/saInfoPage.html
• National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233 (SAFE)
• National Resource Center on Domestic Violence (Harrisburg, PA): 1-800-537-2238
• Battered Women's Justice Project (Minneapolis, MN): 1-800-903-0111 Ext1 for Criminal Justice; Ext2 for Civil Justice; Ext3 for Defense of Battered Women
• NCJFCJ Resource Center on Domestic Violence: Child Protection and Custody (Reno, NV):1-800-527-3223, or online at http://ncjfcj.unr.edu.
• Health Resource Center on Domestic Violence/Family Violence Prevention Fund (San Francisco, CA): 1-888-792-2873 (Rx-ABUSE) or online at http://www.fvpf.org/health/.
• National Resource Center to End Violence Against Native Women, Rapid City, SD: 1-877-733-7623 (red-road); or via email at scircle@sacred-circle.com.

Where can I find out about the overlap between child maltreatment and domestic violence?

Recent reviews of the literature estimate the rate of overlap or co-occurence of domestic violence and child maltreatment in the same families to be 30-60%. (See papers by Appel & Holden, 1999; Edleson, 1999) You can learn more by going to:

• The Overlap Between Child Maltreatment and Woman Abuse by Jeffrey Edleson, Ph.D.
• The Link Between Child Maltreatment and Woman Abuse Database
• Domestic Violence in the Lives of Children: The Future of Research, Intervention, and Social Policy, edited by Sandra A. Graham-Bermann, PhD. and Jeffrey Edleson, Ph.D., published by APA Books

How often are children exposed to domestic violence?

It is estimated that between 3 and 10 million children who live in two-parent families witness some type of adult domestic abuse annually. (See papers by Carlson, Strauss). You can learn more by going to:

• Problems Associated with Children's Witnessing of Domestic Violence by Jeffrey Edleson, Ph.D.
• Family Research Laboratory bibliography of publications at the University of New Hampshire
• The Link Between Child Maltreatment and Woman Abuse Database
• Domestic Violence in the Lives of Children: The Future of Research, Intervention, and Social Policy, edited by Sandra A. Graham-Bermann, PhD. and Jeffrey Edleson, Ph.D., published by APA Books

Are all children harmed by exposure to or witnessing of domestic violence?

No, not all children exposed to domestic violence appear to be harmed emotionally or physically, nor will they all develop emotional or behavioral problems. While it is difficult to measure "harm," research indicates that exposure to domestic violence is a risk factor for later problems in children. There is a great deal of variability is these situations, and the degree to which a child is harmed is likely related to a combination of risk and protective factors, and to the frequency, duration, severity, and type of violence to which they are exposed. You can find out more details at:

• Problems Associated with Children's Witnessing of Domestic Violence by Jeffrey Edleson, Ph.D.
• Domestic Violence in the Lives of Children: The Future of Research, Intervention, and Social Policy, edited by Sandra A. Graham-Bermann, PhD. and Jeffrey Edleson, Ph.D., published by APA Books
• Future of Children, Vol 9, No. 3, Winter 1999, Domestic Violence and Children at the Packard Foundation site

Where can I find out about promising practices for agencies addressing situations where there is both domestic violence and child maltreatment?

There are a number of promising practices currently being developed in this area. Most of them involve collaboration between multiple agencies. These initiatives are generally based out of one of four types of agencies: Domestic Violence Programs, Child Protection Agencies, Medical Centers, or Court Services. If you want to learn more about some of these programs go to:

• National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges website, especially links to information about the "Emerging Programs for Battered Mothers and Their Children" (1998), and "Effective Intervention in Domestic Violence and Child Maltreatment Cases: Guidelines for Policy and Practice" (1999)
• Providers page on the "Making the Link" website

What is "alternative response" or "differential response" in child protection and how might it be a useful response to families where there is domestic violence?

Alternative response, sometimes called differential response, is one of the practices that shows promise for child protection agencies' responses to cases where children are living in families where there is domestic violence. This form of intervention may be offered to a family where there is risk for future child maltreatment, such as in cases of domestic violence, but a formal child protection investigative route is not taken. Instead, an alternative family assessment may be conducted, and prevention or early intervention services and supportive resources are put in place. You can learn more by going to:

• Minnesota Department of Human Services, Bulletin regarding Alternative Response
• National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges
• Child Welfare League of America
• American Bar Association
• Children's Defense Fund

When a child lives in a home where he or she is exposed to domestic violence, should a report be made to child protection authorities by mandated reporters?

The answer to this question depends upon the legal definition of child maltreatment and guidelines for mandated reporting for child maltreatment set up in your state. To find out, go the your state's human services web-site, legislative web-site, or by calling your area's child abuse and neglect reporting hotline. For more information and thoughts on this:

• Should Childhood Exposure to Adult Domestic Violence be Defined as Child Maltreatment under the Law? by Jeffrey Edleson, Ph.D.
• Minnesota Office of the Revisor of Statutes, look for child protection and statutes regarding maltreatment of minors reporting law
• Overlap of Domestic Violence and Child Maltreatment in U.S.A. State Civil and Criminal Statutes

Where can I find out more information about programs and agencies that are addressing the needs of battered women and their children?

You can find out more by going to:

• National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges, especially links to information about the "Emerging Programs for Battered Mothers and Their Children" (1998), and "Effective Intervention in Domestic Violence and Child Maltreatment Cases: Guidelines for Policy and Practice" (1999)
• Providers page of the "Making the Link" website

Where can I find out about trainers or training materials and curriculum for training of domestic violence advocates and child protection workers?

There are many different trainers and training materials or curriculum available for use. Each requires a different set of back-ground knowledge, and has different objectives. Most of the materials can be adapted for use in your specific area. You can learn more by going to:

• Family Violence Prevention Fund's Domestic Violence: National Curriculum for Training Child Protection about Domestic Violence by Anne L. Ganley, Ph.D. and Susan Schechter, M.S.W
• Speakers and Trainers page of the MINCAVA Electronic Clearinghouse
• Contact MINCAVA Link Project about the MN Curriculum under development for the Rural Victimization/VAWO Project
• Praxis International, Duluth, MN

Where can I find out about model practice protocols, agreements, and tools for service responses to families where children may be exposed to domestic violence?

There are many agencies and organizations who have begun to develop such information. You can learn more by going to:

• Providers page of the "Making the Link" website

Is there information available about how to deal with custody and visitation issues in domestic disputes where there has been a history of domestic violence?

Yes, there are many guidelines and articles that have been written about this topic. You can learn more by going to:

• Child Custody and Visitation Decisions in Domestic Violence Cases: Legal Trends, Research Findings, and Recommendations by Daniel G. Saunders
• National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges
• American Bar Association Center on Children and the Law

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• Someone I know is in an abusive relationship. Whom can they contact for assistance?
• I suspect that a child is being abused (physically, sexually, emotionally). Whom can I contact for assistance?
• How can I find service providers in my area?
• Whom can I contact for custody and access information?
• What are the laws in my state? Where can I get my legal questions answered?
• Is it safe for me to use email or the internet to get help?

Someone I know is in an abusive relationship. Whom can they contact for assistance?
Contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline, 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) (voice) or 1-800-787-3224 (TTY). The Hotline staff can assist with contacting the appropriate services in your area.

I suspect that a child is being abused (physically, sexually, emotionally). Whom can I contact for assistance?
Contact Childhelp USA Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-422-4453 (1-800-4 A Child). Also, look in your local Yellow Pages under “shelters” or “child abuse”, or try the county listings in your local phone book for the county sheriffs’ office, child protection services, or mental health agency listings. These agencies can provide you with the appropriate referral(s).

How can I find service providers in my area?
To find international resources, please see our Service Providers page.

To find local U.S.A. resources, please call one of the following hotlines. They can connect you to organizations in your area:

• 24-hour National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7283), TDD is 1-800-787-3224.
• Rape, Abuse, Incest National Network (RAINN) Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).
• The National Center for Victims of Crime has an INFOLINK telephone number: 1-800-FYI CALL (394-2255). This toll free help line can give you safety strategies and victim information.
• Childhelp USA at 1-800-4ACHILD (1-800-422-4453) to report child abuse nationally.

Webpages to look at include the Domestic Violence Coalitions of States and Territories page from the U.S. Department of Justice and the Domestic Violence Hotlines and Resource page from the Feminist Majority, both of which list all the state domestic violence coalitions.

Whom can I contact for custody and access information?
Please see What are the laws in my state? Where can I get my legal questions answered?

What are the laws in my state? Where can I get my legal questions answered?
Try calling one or more of the following organizations for legal information or advice:

• Battered Women's Legal Advocacy Project at 1-800-313-2666.
• Battered Women's Justice Project at 1-800-903-0111 ext 2.
• American Bar Association at 1-312-988-5000.

Also, your local domestic violence shelter or county sheriff's office or police department may be able to provide you with referrals to appropriate legal resources.

If your issue involves a restraining order, see State and U.S. Territory Full Faith and Credit Legislation and Registry Information. This document provides information about individual states' laws and policies regarding restraining orders.

If your issue involves child custody and access, you may want to read articles from the Child exposure section on our Domestic violence page. You may want to contact the online resources listed below. If you are a domestic violence victim/surivior, you may also want to contact the legal advocacy organizations listed above.

Other online resources include:

• Public policy page from the National Victims of Crime.
• The National Crime Victims Bar Association. For information and help finding a lawyer in civil court cases.
• Domestic Violence Coalitions of States and Territories page from the U.S. Department of Justice.
• Domestic Violence Hotlines and Resource page from the Feminist Majority. Lists the state domestic violence coalitions.

Is it safe for me to use email or the internet to get help?
If someone has access to your email account, he or she may be able to read your mail. If you believe your account is secure, make sure you choose a password that he or she will not be able to guess. If someone knows how to access your computer's cache file (automatically saved web pages and graphics), he or she may be able to see information you have viewed recently on the internet. Also, please be aware that there is software available that covertly monitors a computer's every keystroke, site viewed, and chat held via the Internet.

The American Bar Association posts the document “How an abuser can discover your internet activities”. This document discusses how to safely use your email program and how to empty the history/cache files on your computer.

If someone who is abusive to you has access to your computer, you may want to call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7283), TDD 1-800-787-3224 instead of emailing any organization.

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File Last Modified: Monday, 14-Mar-2005 11:57:20 CST
© Copyright 2000 - 2004 Link Resource Project, Minnesota Center Against Violence and Abuse

This website is sponsored by the Link Research Project, a project of the Minnesota Center Against Violence and Abuse. Both the website and the Link Research Project were established with grants from the Allina Foundation (Minnesota) for the first phase of the project, and by The David and Lucile Packard Foundation (California) for the second phase. For more information or to contact project staff, please contact us via the MINCAVA email submission form.