Children and Custody
Research confirms that child custody cases often move through court systems without regard for peoples’ real-life experiences of domestic violence, often resulting in parenting arrangements that can expose victimized parents and their children to further abuse.
Children and the non-abusive parent are impacted in many ways when a parent or guardian uses violence in the home. In child custody and parenting time determinations, most state courts must account for domestic violence; however, connecting domestic violence to parenting is often challenging for practitioners. Making the connection between intimate partner violence and parenting in child custody cases is critical for the safety and wellbeing of both the children and the non-abusive parent.
Most of these resources are provided by our National Legal Center on Children and Domestic Violence, which provides technical assistance and training on the intersections of family law, child support, and child welfare when there is domestic violence.
Search and explore all Child Custody related resources in the side menu, or dive into a recent addition below:

Children and Custody resources
10 Things to Know About Parenting Plans in Cases Involving DV
Self Represented Litigants Series
TAGS: #Tools and GuidesHow to Navigate Custody Mediation in Cases Involving DV
Self Represented Litigants Series
TAGS: #Tools and GuidesThings to Know About Child Protection and DV
Self Represented Litigants Series
TAGS: #Tools and GuidesGetting Child Support When the Co-parent is Abusive – Palm Card
This printable is a guide on how to get child support when the co-parent is abusive. This project was supported…
TAGS: #Tools and GuidesChild-Related Relief in Orders for Protection
Funding for this project was made available through the US Department of Health and Human Services, Grant #90EVO44O
TAGS: #Tools and GuidesCustody Flow Chart
Published by: Tamara Kuennen This child custody flow chart assists practitioners in determining which court has initial jurisdiction to determine…
TAGS: #Tools and GuidesGuardians at Litem – A SAFeR Approach to Enhancing Domestic Violence Practice
The webinar series is supported by grant no. 2020-TA-AX-K012 awarded by the Office on Violence Against Women, U.S. Department of…
TAGS: #GAL, #Tools and Guides, #WebinarSAFeR: An Approach That is Right for the Moment
In our grant report, we emphasize the importance of BWJP's SAFeR approach to our current moment. As we face increasing…
TAGS: #Tools and GuidesSAFeR Mediation Discussion Guide
The SAFeR Mediation Discussion Guide is designed to help survivors, advocates, attorneys, mediators, judges, and others talk about whether a…
TAGS: #Tools and GuidesAccounting for Abuse in Orders of Protection
This protection order guide is designed to help survivors, advocates, attorneys, and judges consider the range of behaviors the respondent has…
TAGS: #Tools and GuidesSAFeR Approach to Decision Making in Domestic Related Child Custody Disputes
SAFeR can be used by anyone, including parties, in any family court proceeding. SAFeR consists of the following four parts:…
TAGS: #safer, #Tools and GuidesAssessing Risk and Lethality for Parents and Children in Domestic Violence Cases
Published by: Rebecca Thomforde-Hauser and Janice M. Rosa Please join us for a webinar highlighting ways in which courts and…
TAGS: #WebinarShould She Stay or Should She Go: Helping Domestic Violence Survivors with Interstate Cases
Published by: Deborah Goelman, Esq. and Amie Lewis, MA This webinar on basic interstate custody issues will provide participants with…
TAGS: #WebinarIntimate Partner Violence Screening Guide
Published by: Gabrielle Davis This initial domestic abuse screening guide is designed to help you identify domestic abuse and coercive…
TAGS: #Tools and GuidesMapping Gender: Shedding Empirical Light on Family Courts’ Treatment of Cases Involving Abuse and Alienation
Published by: Joan S. Meier What is really happening in the nation's family courts? This webinar discusses a national empirical…
TAGS: #WebinarSAFeR: Domestic Violence Informed Child Custody Decision Making Worksheet
Published by: Gabrielle Davis, Loretta Frederick, Nancy Ver Steegh These worksheets assist the family court practitioner in easily and visually…
TAGS: #Tools and GuidesSAFeR: All Worksheets
Color-coded worksheets help pinpoint relevant IPV- related information for each element of SAFeR. A SAFeR icon appears at the top…
TAGS: #Tools and GuidesAdvocacy for Protective Parents Facing Challenging Custody Litigation
Published by: Lundy Bancroft In this webinar, noted author and activist Lundy Bancroft (Why Does He Do That, The Batterer As…
TAGS: #WebinarBattered Mothers and Child Support
Published by: Michelle Behl, Krista DelGallo In this webinar presenters outline both potential risks and benefits for survivors posed by…
TAGS: #WebinarParenting in the Context of Coercive Control
Published by: Loretta Frederick, Nancy Ver Steegh Recent years have seen a growing awareness that parenting in the context of…
TAGS: #Webinar