Children Exposed to Domestic Violence: Federal Assistance Programs (CRS Report for Congress)
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| Release Date |
Revised Dec. 27, 2006 |
| Report Number |
RL33469 |
| Report Type |
Report |
| Authors |
Edith Fairman Cooper, Domestic Social Policy Division |
| Source Agency |
Congressional Research Service |
| Older Revisions |
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Summary:
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 were 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 six. 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 (HHS) 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 $3.0 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, and is 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 was 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. 109-162 ), 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.
