Book Review: Domestic Abuse, Child Custody, and Visitation

Domestic Abuse, Child Custody, and Visitation, by Daniel Pollack and Toby G. Kleinman, Oxford University Press, New York, NY, ISBN: 9780190641573, 2017,  208 pages, $29.95.

    Domestic Abuse, Child Custody, and Visitation shouts collaboration and consultation from beginning to end. Kleinman and Pollack’s recommendations are likely to have a positive impact on our social work practice. Within the contents of this book lie realistic insights into the relationship cycle via a victim chronology, cycle of violence, and power and control wheels. The textbook clearly demonstrates the willingness and desire of the necessity of relationship enhancement between social workers, attorneys, judges, and the court system.

    Rookie and seasoned social workers can reap a wealth of knowledge from this book. The authors go into depth and give you a real glimpse inside a domestic violence victim and her struggles with the court system. It is clearly visible that the court system is another tool for the domestic abuser to take advantage of the victim. From a monetary standpoint and a judge’s “early ruling as to visitation where abuse is alleged is the first message to the child that the court system will or will not help protect him or her from the violent parent, whether the child is a direct victim or not.”

    In our profession, relationships are of the utmost importance. Establishing relationships requires utilizing appropriate language and implementing the language at the opportune time. Within the court system, the language used can have a direct impact on the domestic offender and victim. The authors go into great depth regarding this subject. The authors encourage social workers to collaborate with court officials regarding language. For example, a social worker can assist the judge in communicating a message from the court that supports the victim while being very clear to the abuser that the court will not tolerate the use of emotional abuse toward the victim even though the abuser has parental rights. Specifically, the judge may communicate a message very clearly to the victim that “if you are fearful or there are threats or you believe the children are at-risk, I encourage you to tell your lawyer and to get assistance from the court.” This same statement tells the perpetrator, “As already stated, you will see your children and hopefully behave appropriately. But I will immediately stop contact until you learn to do so if I find out that berating or name-calling or threats are continuing.”

    The remaining pieces of the book are equally important. However, I chose specific items I thought were most useful for new and seasoned social workers. Please do not look over other important aspects of this book, which include: effects of violence on children, attorney-client interviews, litigation, expert testimony, demand for evidence-based practice within the court setting, risks associated with evaluating children, and what every mental health person should know about lawyers.

    I could go on and on about the positive aspects the authors convey within the text. As a seasoned LCSW, I would be doing a disservice by not recommending this book for new and experienced social workers. Typically, attorneys and social workers are speaking different languages; this book will assist us in being more fluent in the language of legalese.

Reviewed by Craig A Carpenter, LCSW.