Training child protective services workers about domestic violence: Needs, strategies, and barriers

Research demonstrates a strong relationship between child abuse and domestic violence. This study assesses the domestic violence training needs of child protective services workers. Surveys were completed by 187 social services supervisors in Virginia. Attention was given to the training needs of child protective services workers, how those needs compare to the domestic violence training needs of other social services workers, the strategies identified as most effective, and barriers to training. Results suggest that child protective services workers presumably know more about domestic violence than other workers, but they need more knowledge in certain areas. Implications are provided.