New Website Addresses Overlap between Domestic Violence and Child Abuse
Monday, December 1, 2008 9:24 AM

Effective Interventions in Domestic Violence and Child Maltreatment Cases: Guidelines for Policy and Practice, better known as "The Greenbook” (named for the color of its cover), has helped family law courts, domestic violence advocates, and child welfare workers collaborate since it was first published in 1999 by the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges. "The Greenbook" seeks to improve the ability of advocates and systems personnel to respond to cases of domestic violence. 

In 2006, advocates gathered to discuss the successes and drawbacks of the Greenbook. These meetings on how best to implement the Greenbook guidelines in various communities were videotaped and are now available on the new website.

According to the Greenbook website, “In about half of all child maltreatment cases, a mother is also being battered.” (Cited in: Greenbook: The Initiative, 1 July 2008). Women are often accused of abusing their children while the perpetrators (husbands and significant others) are never charged. The Greenbook guidelines help courts and advocates understand the overlap between domestic violence and child maltreatment and how best to adequately address all of the problems.

Six cities across the United States were chosen in 2000 as test sites for the initiative and received funding from the federal government to implement programs for seven years. The new website features interviews from these six test sites. Today, "The Greenbook" has spread to other parts of the country and advocates hope that the guidelines will make a difference in the lives of battered women and children.

Compiled from: New Resource, Family Violence Prevention Fund, 24 November 2008; The Greenbook Initiative, 24 October 2008.