Research · Custody evaluators
How custody evaluators’ beliefs shape their recommendations
A National Institute of Justice study surveyed custody evaluators, judges and attorneys about domestic violence allegations.
What the source says
- The study examined how often custody evaluators believe domestic violence allegations are false, and how those beliefs relate to their recommendations.
- The belief that mothers’ domestic violence allegations are false was strongly related to beliefs that survivors alienate children from the other parent, and that domestic violence is not important in custody decisions.
Our view
Mothers and fathers both report abuse. Whichever parent you are, reporting abuse should never be turned against you, and no parent should be labeled “alienating” for trying to protect a child.
Source
Saunders, D.G., Faller, K.C., & Tolman, R.M. (2011). Child Custody Evaluators’ Beliefs About Domestic Abuse Allegations: Their Relationship to Evaluator Demographics, Background, Domestic Violence Knowledge and Custody-Visitation Recommendations. National Institute of Justice.
More research
- Custody outcomes study
- UN report on custody and violence
- World Health Organization
- Children exposed to domestic violence
- Domestic violence and child trauma
- Child abuse statistics
- Children killed during custody disputes
- Kayden’s Law
- New York custody bills
This page summarizes published sources. It is not legal, medical or therapeutic advice.