Domestic Violence continues to be a pervasive issue in Family Law and Juvenile Dependency cases, as well as a frequently addressed issue in therapeutic treatment. The scope of what we consider to be domestic violence has broadened dramatically over the course of the last decade, and it is one of the most difficult topics for courts and therapists to address. We now recognize coercive control and sexual coercion as forms of domestic violence. There is a question as to whether child abuse should be considered a form of domestic violence. There is also a question as to whether we should differentiate between domestic violence and intimate partner violence. The definition of domestic violence and determining whether domestic violence actually has occurred in any given situation often times requires a complex analysis. The impact of domestic violence on diverse groups of people and differing communities be they racial, religious, social, cultural or spread across differing age groups is a growing concern that requires special skills and new approaches in legal and therapeutic settings. The panel will address the panorama of domestic violence in these contexts.
Learning Objectives:
- Participants will be able to describe, differentiate and discuss the various elements of domestic violence and its development in the law and mental health practice.
- Participants will develop an understanding of the role of the Court in adjudicating DV claims and the resulting effects of DV on related issues regarding custody and visitation.
- Participants will be able to analyze, plan and develop techniques, methods and treatment protocols for victims and perpetrators of domestic violence.