Children Exposed to Domestic Violence: Federal Assistance Programs

Publication Date: June 2006

Publisher: Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Author(s):

Research Area: Social conditions

Type:

Abstract:

Violence between domestic partners is not a new phenomenon. Children who witness such violence, however, have increasingly become a concern of policymakers. Since 1999, several federal programs and initiatives have been created to address the problems of children who witness domestic violence, and several new initiatives have been enacted in the 109th Congress.

The Safe Start Initiative was authorized by legislation in 1999 (P.L. 105-277) to prevent and reduce the effects of family and community violence on young children from birth to age 6. In 2000, Congress reauthorized the Violence Against Women Act and created the Safe Havens for Children Pilot Program to provide supervised and safe visitation exchange of children by and between parents in situations involving domestic violence. In 2001, the Stop Family Violence postage stamp was created, directing the U.S. Postal Service to issue a semi-postal stamp to allow the public an opportunity to contribute toward domestic violence funding. Proceeds from the sales were transferred to the Department of Health and Human Services for domestic violence prevention programs, specifically the Safe and Bright Futures for Children Program, and the Demonstration of Enhanced Services to Children and Youth Who Have Been Exposed to Domestic Violence. To date, proceeds from the stamp have generated $1.2 million. Furthermore, funds have been authorized under the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act to assist children exposed to domestic violence, if appropriations exceed $130 million in a fiscal year. To date, appropriations have not exceeded that amount.

The Greenbook Initiative is a federal multi-agency demonstration project that implements the suggested guidelines for policy and practice of the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges, which are designed to assist child welfare, domestic violence agencies, and family courts in responding more effectively when domestic violence and child maltreatment occur simultaneously. Since FY2001, six communities have been funded through the federal Greenbook Demonstration Initiative.

The impact on children of exposure to domestic violence has been an issue in the 109th Congress. At the end of the first session, Congress passed the Violence Against Women and Department of Justice Reauthorization Act of 2005 (P.L. 109162), which contained a series of new initiatives. New programs would provide services to assist youth who have been victims of domestic and dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking; support training and collaborative efforts of service providers who assist families in which domestic violence and child maltreatment occur simultaneously; enable middle and high schools to train relevant school personnel to assist student victims of such violence, holding perpetrators accountable; and combat such violence on college campuses. This report will not be updated.