Discussions about domestic and intimate partner violence are at the core of our work at the Children’s Aid Society of Toronto (CAST), with these issues being involved in more than half of the cases we support. In recognition of the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women on December 6, we took this important conversation to the broader public.
Our CEO, Lisa Tomlinson, appeared on CP24’s Breakfast Show with Jennifer Hsiung to discuss the intersection of domestic violence and child welfare. She shared how CAST supports families facing these challenges and emphasized the collective role our community can play in addressing domestic violence. Lisa’s interview draws from the insights shared in her article below, where she reflects on key lessons learned throughout her 30 years of experience across sectors. We invite you to explore her thoughtful perspective.
6 Lessons I’ve Learned About Domestic Violence and Child Welfare
Domestic violence is a pervasive issue, present in more than half of the cases encountered at the Children’s Aid Society of Toronto (CAST). Yet, despite its prevalence, there remains a significant disconnect in how society views the relationship between domestic violence and child welfare. These issues are often treated as if they exist separately when they are deeply intertwined and it’s time to have a candid conversation about it.
I’ve spent three decades at the intersection of child welfare and domestic violence and I’ve witnessed the complexities that arise when these two crises overlap. My career has spanned frontline work with children and families in urgent need of safety and stability, to leadership roles, including Chief Operating Officer and now Chief Executive Officer.
Today I’m sharing lessons I’ve learned about why addressing this intersection now is critical for the well-being of children and families.
Lesson one: Domestic violence has a profound and lasting impact on children, even when they are not the direct victims of abuse and harm.
For years I’ve read referrals from police officers who attended homes following a 911 call. Officers often report children were “asleep” or in “another room” when their mother was being harmed. More often than not, they actually aren’t asleep and know what is going on.
Many assume that if violence isn’t directed at the child, they will not be affected. This belief is dangerous and misleading – children are not invisible bystanders.
We know that witnessing violence in the home can lead to developmental, emotional and psychological challenges that affect children for years, if not a lifetime. The cycle of violence can also repeat itself as these children become adults and have their own relationships. The trauma they experience must be acknowledged, and interventions need to be designed with their safety, wellbeing and healing in mind.
Lesson two: No single organization can address the complexities of domestic violence and child welfare in isolation.
CAST’s greatest successes have come through meaningful collaboration with community partners, law enforcement, healthcare professionals, social service agencies and the Violence Against Women sector. The model of working in silos fails young people and families, and we’ve seen this play out time and again.
When services are fragmented, families slip through the cracks.
The only way to provide holistic support is through coordinated, cross-sector collaboration that ensures no piece of the puzzle is missing. We’ve made significant strides, but there is always more to do – especially in building stronger partnerships with cultural and identity specific services.
Lesson three: Child welfare systems typically focus on mothers and children, often overlooking the role fathers play in contributing to and addressing domestic violence.
Supporting fathers is essential—not only in holding them accountable but also in engaging them in meaningful change. At CAST, we’ve been working to integrate father engagement into our approach, helping them to develop healthier relationships and break the cycle of violence. Fathers are crucial in creating safe and supportive environments for their children, and their inclusion in the conversation is non-negotiable and also a form of prevention.
Lesson four: If we want to make lasting change, we must start by embedding an understanding of domestic violence and its impact into the fabric of our education systems.
This begins with training future social workers, healthcare providers and educators about the complexities of domestic violence. Most Canadian universities that offer a social work degree and/or Masters do not have a mandatory domestic violence course, despite the fact that we know it is present in families at alarming rates.
At our Agency we’ve implemented educational initiatives that ensure professionals entering these fields are prepared to identify, respond to and address domestic violence effectively. By normalizing conversations around domestic violence, we can shift societal attitudes and create more responsive systems.
Lesson five: There is a perception that child welfare agencies are a threat to families, rather than a support.
Families experiencing domestic violence may fear losing their children if they reach out to us. Our domestic violence teams work tirelessly to combat this misconception, providing services that are centred around safety, healing and family preservation whenever possible. We strive to be seen as allies, helping families navigate incredibly difficult circumstances with the goal of keeping children safe and supported at home.
Lesson six: The time is now.
Today, discussions are taking place across social services, healthcare sectors, and governments about the availability of community resources and supports for children and families. Domestic violence must be central to these conversations. It is time to ensure that prevention, intervention and protection strategies for domestic violence are woven into the way we build strong, supportive families and communities.
This is not just an issue for today’s children and families – it’s about building a future where safety, stability and wellness are the norm, not the exception.
