Note - this publication was prepared for child protection workers in Western Australia. Some aspects of practice may not apply in New Zealand.

The seriousness and prevalence of family and domestic violence means that child protection workers need safe, ethical ways to minimise risk to children and adult victims exposed to family and domestic violence, as well as to support their wellbeing and long-term recovery.

This practice resource provides ...a range of ideas, information and practice tips to ensure that... work is consistent with the Department for Child Protection [Western Australia] principles for responding to children who are exposed to family and domestic violence:
1. The safety of the child and adult victims is paramount.
2. Increasing the safety of the non-abusive parent and their safety networks enhances the safety for the child.
3. In order to keep child and adult victims safe, perpetrators of family and domestic violence must be held
accountable for their actions and actively supported to cease their violent behaviour.
4. The safest and most effective responses to family and domestic violence involve collaboration and coordination
with other agencies and services.

The resource is underpinned by the Signs of Safety Framework. The purpose of the material is to help child protection
workers develop safe and meaningful working relationships with men perpetrating family and domestic violence,their (ex)partner and child and the professionals working with and around the family; to obtain the necessary knowledge about family and domestic violence to think critically and foster a stance of inquiry; and to guide practice about perpetrator intervention to help child protection workers land grand aspirations [about perpetrator accountability] in everyday practice. (From the introduction)