The Structuring of Child Custody Proceedings in Cases Concerning Parental Relationship Violence

theme No.: 34b
responsible federal state: Saarland
date: 13.11.2023 - 17.11.2023

The conference is primarily directed at judges of ordinary jurisdiction (civil and criminal), who are concerned with causes falling within the province of the family court.
Domestic violence between parental partners is to be assessed as an indicator for a potential risk to child welfare.
The interdisciplinary congress takes a close look at the nature and extent of the harm caused to children from a medical point of view, as well as in terms of developmental psychology and paediatric psychiatry, outlines conditions for healing and relates these conditions to the substantive and procedural requirements in family court proceedings, in particular with regard to the provisions on parental care and custody, access to the child, the requirement of rapid action and mutual consent. Ample opportunity is provided for colleagues to exchange experiences.
The following aspects will be discussed in detail:

• Nature and extent of damage caused to the child due to domestic violence between parental partners
• Criteria and methods for assessing endangerment of child welfare
• Significance of child attachment for traumatization and healing
• Investigative techniques used by the court to interview children on emotionally stressful issues
• Effects of (child) therapy on the ability and applicability of testimony
• Effects of domestic violence between parental partners on the parents as persons having the care of and holding the access rights to the child
• The creation and structuring of custody provisions and, in particular, those concerning access to the child, against the background of the latest findings presented from psychological, educational and medical research
• Reconciliation of protection against violence and child protection
• Social training courses for parental partners engaged in domestic violence to promote parenting skills

back to overview