‘Just Say Goodbye’ (January 2013 online edition)

DVRCV Discussion Paper No. 8families in England and Wales to identify risks to children when the motheris a victim of domestic violence. They found that when domestic violencewas identified it was not deemed to be relevant to child protection concerns(Saunders 2004). In several filicide cases, statutory agencies 135 knew the motherwas experiencing domestic violence, but the children were not viewed as beingat risk of ‘significant harm’ even when their mother was facing potentiallylethal violence. The Women’s Aid Federation recommend that all workers withchild protection responsibilities receive training to enable them to understandthe dynamics of domestic violence and its links with child protection, and torecognise significant risk indicators. They state that:if the child’s primary carer is facing a potentially lethal level of violence,this should always be recognized as a serious child protection issue and effortsshould be made to ensure the safety of both the non-violent parent and thechildren (Saunders 2004:17).The Women’s Aid Federation argues that if allegations of abuse of a parent aremade, they should be investigated. This investigation should involve separatelyassessing both parents and the children. The assessment of the children shouldoccur in a child-friendly environment using child-friendly techniques over severalweeks to establish the child’s perspective, to assess whether the child is at risk andto make appropriate recommendations for the child’s welfare (Saunders 2004).The Women’s Aid Federation also recommend that research be undertaken toidentify significant risk indicators for children in cases of domestic violence,specifically where there are contact or residence proceedings or arrangements.The material outlined in this discussion paper indicates that theserecommendations are relevant in an Australian context. It also indicates thatfears for the safety of children should also be investigated. The implications forrisk assessment are discussed below.It is beyond the scope of this paper to examine in detail the potential role ofthe child protection system in filicides that occur in the context of separation. Inmost of the cases explored in this paper, child protection services did not appearto be involved. 136 There is currently a review of child protection in Victoriawhich will investigate the child protection system and ways to improve it. ThisInquiry will report its findings in early 2012. 137135 Examples of statutory services in Australia are police, courts, child protection services and state mentalhealth services.136 In the case of Kongsom, outlined in Chapter 4, the Department of Community Services (responsible for childprotection services in NSW) had been notified and had closed the case days prior to the children being killed(Cameron and Ross 2008); in the case of Rachel, outlined in Chapter 5, Child Protection in Victoria wereinvolved with the family at the time the child was killed.137 Protecting Victoria’s Vulnerable Children Inquiry – for further information see www.childprotectioninquiry.vic.gov.au.82