Other Second Assaults: How Institutions Fail Separated Mothers with Domestic Violence Histories

• In Event: 512 - Section on Sex and Gender Roundtable Session (one-hour).
  In Refereed Roundtable: Table 10. Policy and Practice

Abstract

How do institutions serve domestic violence victims who have children? Drawing on interviews collected as part of a larger study, I present a case study of how institutions can commit a “second assault” (Martin 2005) against mothers with domestic violence histories. Institutions have their own aims and organizational logics that may not always put the safety and well being of victims at the center of their mission (Martin 2005). Here, I present how Child Support Enforcement, Child Protective Services, and the Internal Revenue Service fail to serve and protect mothers with domestic violence histories. I also analyze the relationships between abusive fathers and their children. This exploratory study concludes with policy implications and a call for further research.

Author

• Elizabeth Cozzolino, University of Texas-Austin