Published February 2021

This paper is for social work practitioners and students who work, or will work, with parents affected by FDV. It will examine early engagement with parents – both those who perpetrate violence, and those who are affected by violence. While we acknowledge that violence occurs in families in different ways, given most violence is perpetrated by men, with children and women the victims, this will be the focus of this paper.

Key messages:
- When a parent is affected by family and domestic violence (FDV), they may describe this violence in different ways to a social worker. These descriptions can minimise the effects on children and mean that they don’t receive the support that they need for their social and emotional wellbeing.
- Fathers who use violence may initially minimise their actions by blaming female partners or children, underreporting the seriousness of their actions, or describing their violence as communication or relationship issues.
- Mothers who experience violence may believe that they are complicit or to blame for their partners’ actions, or the consequences for their children if they disclose.
Social workers who help parents name their experience of violence will be much more likely to provide early intervention and prevention support for children’s social and emotional wellbeing and safety. (From the website).

This resource includes embedded videos: "Conversations with fathers about family and domestic violence" and "Supporting mothers in conversations about family and domestic violence". Record #7560