FACT SHEET

Separation, inter-parental conflict, and domestic and family violence: Impact and support needs

This fact sheet is based on findings from a project that examined the impact of domestic and family violence (DFV) on parenting capacity and parent–child relationships in Australia. It will be useful to practitioners working with separated parents, and policymakers addressing parenting.  

The information in this fact sheet is drawn from the Domestic and family violence and parenting: Mixed method insights into impact and support needs project. It defines inter-parental conflict (IPC) and sets out that while it is likely to be high in couples experiencing DFV, it can also exist without being part of a pattern of abusive behaviour where one parent seeks to exert power and control over the other parent.

This factsheet provides a summary of the project under the following sections:

• definitions and measures
• prevalence and impact of IPC and DFV before and after separation
• impact of IPC and DFV after separation: population and qualitative findings
• support needs of women and children
• further policy and program development opportunities.

Case studies are included in easily identifiable shaded boxes.

 

 

Suggested citation

Australia’s National Research Organisation for Women’s Safety. (2017). Separation, inter-parental conflict, and domestic and family violence: Impact and support needs [Fact sheet]. ANROWS.