This Global Rights for Women study of the Minneapolis Police Department found that officers seldom pursued perpetrators of domestic violence once they left the scene, and the Department makes far fewer reports and arrests than is typical nationally.
Our study of child fatalities similarly showed that failed responses to domestic violence contributed to 28% of children’s deaths.
Parents are legally obligated to protect their children. Yet Department of Human Services’ Guidelines (p. 68), advise that “victims should be encouraged but not forced to seek help”, and its specific guidance regarding domestic abuse states (p. 5) “every effort should be made to keep a child safely in the care of the abused parent/caregiver.“
We sympathize with victims of domestic abuse. But children should not live in constant terror and be left in harm’s way, and getting help should not always be voluntary.
There will be no e-brief next week in honor of the Independence Day holiday.
For a more detailed assessment of this study and its implications for children click here for a written analysis or listen to this analysis in our podcast.