A systematic review of qualitative studies exploring how parents affected by intimate partner violence and abuse and their children experience child welfare, health and criminal justice responses.
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Authors
Cooling, Victoria
Issue Date
2026
Type
Article
Language
en
Keywords
Systematic Review
Alternative Title
Abstract
Background
Parental Intimate Partner Violence and Abuse (IPVA) is a complex issue, which requires a sensitive response from a range of services. This review aimed to identify and synthesise qualitative research examining the perceptions and experiences of parents and children affected by IPVA and their interactions or engagement with various child welfare, health and legal systems and services.
Methods
We conducted a systematic review of the international literature, searching 11 electronic databases from inception to November 2023 and supplemented this with a grey literature search. Studies were included if they provided qualitative accounts from adult and/or child victims/survivors of IPVA and/or adult perpetrators reporting on experiences of child welfare, health, and/or criminal justice intervention.
Results
A thematic synthesis of 39 individual studies (38 papers and 1 book chapter) which include the perspectives of (n-825) mothers/adult females (n-107) children and (n-58) fathers was undertaken. Three overarching themes were identified: (1) the importance of supporting the family whilst safeguarding the child (2) systems failing of services to hold the perpetrator to account and (3) systems that retraumatize the Family.
Conclusions
Services should provide a whole-family approach, which responds to the needs both the parent and child victim/survivor, and recognises the parental identity of the perpetrator. Interventions with adult victims/survivors should take a strengths-based approach, whilst holding the perpetrator to account. Particular care is needed when families are involved in family court to avoid re-traumatisation.
Description
Citation
McGovern, W., Smart, D., Alderson, H. et al. (2026) A systematic review of qualitative studies exploring how parents affected by intimate partner violence and abuse and their children experience child welfare, health and criminal justice responses. BMC Public Health; online ahead of print.
Publisher
License
Journal
BMC Public Health
Volume
Issue
ISSN
1471-2458