Lest death do us part: A joint review of a domestic violence and child fatality case

In the United States, Child Fatality Review Boards (CFRB) developed in the early 1990s, a decade earlier than their adult counterpart, Domestic Violence Fatality Review Boards (DVFRB). However, both review boards developed... [ view full abstract ]

In the United States, Child Fatality Review Boards (CFRB) developed in the early 1990s, a decade earlier than their adult counterpart, Domestic Violence Fatality Review Boards (DVFRB). However, both review boards developed with similar missions to prevent family injuries and fatalities. The Boards review death cases in multidisciplinary teams in order to inform professionals and communities of needed practice, policy, and systems changes.

In an effort to combine violence prevention expertise and efforts, Oklahoma’s Child Death Review Board and Domestic Violence Fatality Review Board began meeting together in 2006. Board members identified that there was a need for joint reviews of abuse, neglect, and domestic violence fatalities to analyze data, explore common issues, utilize existing expertise effectively, and develop joint practice and policy recommendations.

This workshop is to demonstrate how child and adult domestic violence fatality review boards work together to review selected cases for more efficient interdisciplinary and community collaboration.

Participants will be divided into multidisciplinary teams of 5-6 to conduct a mock review of a child maltreatment death and a co-occurring domestic violence death.

Following the mock review, the group will discuss the process of establishing child maltreatment and domestic violence review boards in individual countries or localities.

Description:

This presentation will provide a history of both domestic violence fatality review and child fatality review. The focus will be on how to conduct a joint review when the victims overlap. A mock review of a joint case will be conducted.

Objectives:
1. Understand the history and development of CFRBs and DVFRBs in the United States and globally,
2. Actively participate in small groups in a mock child abuse/domestic violence fatality review,
3. Develop skills in identifying risks, prevention strategies, and recommended systemic changes, and
4. Discuss the process of establishing a review system in their country or locality.