title: Beliefs and Recommendations Regarding Child Custody and Visitation in Cases Involving Domestic Violence: A Comparison of Professionals in Different Roles.
abstract: Research is lacking on differing perspectives regarding custody cases involving domestic violence (DV). In a survey of judges, legal aid attorneys, private attorneys, DV program workers, and child custody evaluators (n = 1,187), judges, private attorneys, and evaluators were more likely to believe that mothers make false DV allegations and alienate their children. In response to a vignette, evaluators and private attorneys were most likely to recommend joint custody and least likely to recommend sole custody to the survivor. Legal aid attorneys and DV workers were similar on many variables. Gender, DV knowledge, and knowing victims explained many group differences.
authors.affiliation: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA saunddan@umich.edu.
authors.forename: Daniel G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Saunders
authors.affiliation: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA.
authors.forename: Kathleen C
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Faller
authors.affiliation: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA.
authors.forename: Richard M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Tolman
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002649:Child Abuse / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002651:Child Advocacy / Q000523:psychology / Q000592:standards; D002655:Child Custody / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration; D008192:Deception; D004243:Divorce / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D017579:Domestic Violence / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000066511:Intimate Partner Violence / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D008297:Male; D024382:Professional Role / Q000523:psychology*; D013179:Spouse Abuse / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology
keywords: child custody; domestic violence; intimate partner violence; professional differences