Understanding services provided to children in DFV shelters: Exposing the “invisible” work

This study examines practice responses for children who reside in the context of domestic and family violence (DFV) shelters in Australia. DFV is a recognized form of child abuse and identified as such in child protection legislations, policies, and practice guidelines. The prevalence of children who experience DFV is unknown and underestimated. DFV shelters that provide crisis accommodation and case management services were traditionally established to respond to the needs of women and are therefore adult centred. Increasingly, practitioners employed in DFV shelters are also responding to the needs of children and young people; however, they are not resourced to do so. This qualitative study conducted in South Australia explores practice responses provided for children and young people while they are residing in a DFV shelter with their mothers. Data were extracted and analysed from the DFV shelter case files of seventeen women and their children using a co-designed data collection instrument. The findings provide insight into children’s experiences due to DFV. Practitioners in DFV shelters were found to be providing an array of services to children exposing this ‘invisible’ work. Understanding the complex needs and service provided to children have practice implications for the DFV sector.