Reunification in Intrafamilial Child Abuse Cases: A Model for Intervention

• Date: 01 April 2016
• Author: Lisa A. Hunt,Mary W. Lindahl
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.1111/fcre.12219
• Published date: 01 April 2016

REUNIFICATION IN INTRAFAMILIAL CHILD ABUSE CASES:

A MODEL FOR INTERVENTION

Mary W. Lindahl and Lisa A. Hunt

1

In response to a growing number of requests to help reunify parents and children separated by allegations of child abuse, we

developed a model for intervention informed by clinical experience, feedback from clients and professionals, and insights from

a growing body of interdisciplinary literature. This article presents a retrospective analysis of 29 intrafamilial cases describing

the intervention, outcomes, and problems presented by these challenging situations. The safety and protection of the child was

the paramount consideration in determining success, whether or not reunification was achieved. Using informal follow-up

data, 24 of the 29 cases were categorized as successful, 21 resulted in full or partial reunification, and 3 cases resulted in the

voluntary or court-ordered withdrawal of an accused father believed to pose a risk to the child. In 5 cases, the nonaccused par-

ent thwarted efforts at reunification, and the case returned to the court of relevant jurisdiction.

Key Points for the Family Court Community:

Cases with allegations of physical, sexual, or emotional abuse involving young children that are unsubstantiated by

child protection agencies are generally closed by these agencies with no further action.

Some of these families may have continuing, complex problems involving divorce and custody, domestic violence

allegations, and mental health issues, as well as ongoing concerns about the child’s safety.

An intervention model designed to work with these cases can be successful in offering protection to the children.

The hybrid model presented includes elements of therapy, education, mediation, and forensic expertise; a highly indi-

vidualized treatment plan for each family; a flexible interdisciplinary treatment team that incorporates professionals as

needed; and a case manager responsible for the overall application of the model.

Keywords: Child Abuse; Child Protection; Divorce; Reunification; and Sexual Abuse.

INTRODUCTION

In response to a growing number of requests to help reunify parents and children separated by allega-

tions of child abuse, the authors have developed a model for intervention informed by: clinical experi-

ence, feedback from clients and professionals, and insights from a growing body of interdisciplinary

literature. This paper presents a retrospective analysis of 29 intrafamilial cases seen between 2005 and

2015, describing the intervention, outcomes, and problems presented by these very challenging situations.

The safety and protection of the child was the paramount consideration in determining success, whether

or not full reunification was achieved. Using informal follow-up data, 24 of the 29 cases were categorized

as successful; 21 resulting in full or partial reunification, and three cases resulting in the voluntary or

court-ordered withdrawal of an accused father believed to pose a risk to the child. In five cases, the non-

accused parent thwarted efforts at reunification and the case returned to the court of relevant jurisdiction.

BACKGROUND

The system of child protection in the United States is complex and often does not serve children

well. Child Protective Services (CPS) and various courts, with separate missions, procedures, and

Correspondence: mlindahl@marymount.edu

FAMILY COURT REVIEW, Vol. 54 No. 2, April 2016 288–299

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C2016 Association of Family and Conciliation Courts