The summit brought together more than 100 professionals representing government, health, education, social services, victim advocacy, law enforcement, corrections, juvenile justice, and adult criminal justice. The report grouped their recommendations into two major categories. The recommendations on capacity building focused on enabling agencies to intervene more effectively in the cycle of family violence. The prevention and intervention recommendations focus on expanding the continuum of effective services, from prevention initiatives to treatment and justice system interventions for victims and perpetrators of domestic assault. Recommended actions included intensified collaborative planning and policymaking; unification of statutes, policies, and protocols; enhanced public awareness; and strengthening of families through programs such a comprehensive prenatal care and parenting skills training. The summit also recommended that schools and community-based agencies provide information to parents and children regarding available support and services for victims and witnesses of family violence and take other steps to address the issue. The report also recommended that police agencies place domestic violence and issues related to children who witness it at the center of the problem-solving agenda and ensure rapid response and support for children who witness domestic assault. Additional recommendations and telephone number through which to obtain the report
Family Violence in America: Breaking the Cycle for Children Who Witness: Recommendations and an Action Agenda From the IACP Summit
NCJ Number
170352
Journal
Police Chief Volume: 65 Issue: 2 Dated: (February 1998) Pages: 16,18-20
Date Published
1998
Length
4 pages
Annotation
The International Association of Chiefs of Police has issued recommendations to help children who witness domestic violence; the strategies are contained in report of the organization's April 1997 summit on family violence and juvenile witnesses.
Abstract
Date Published: January 1, 1998