Ethical Issues with Intimate Partner Violence and Child Custody

Intimate Partner Violence is one of the most challenging fields of practice for social workers/mental health providers, because of the intersection with the criminal justice system. Although the best interest of the child requires the court to consider domestic violence in determining custody, courts often view allegations of domestic violence during divorce and custody as a ‘he said, she said’ situation.  Strategies and interventions in assisting survivors during this process will be explored.  Participants are encouraged to share their expertise in their work with survivors during the court process and after.  The importance of self-care for both survivors and social workers/mental health providers will be discussed.

6 Hours

Amy L. Coha, MSW, LCSW, retired from the University of New England School of Social Work in 2021. Her social work experience includes working with survivors of intimate partner violence and individuals with mental illness. She continues her work in the field of IPV/DV.