When the development or safety of a child is at risk, a Request for Discussion (Verzoek tot Bespreking) can be issued at the Youth Protection Table (Jeugdbeschermingstafel). The current study...Show moreWhen the development or safety of a child is at risk, a Request for Discussion (Verzoek tot Bespreking) can be issued at the Youth Protection Table (Jeugdbeschermingstafel). The current study examined the relation between the occurrence of domestic violence in a family and the decision to request a child protection investigation. Additionally, the moderating role of age and sex of a child is examined. This was investigated by anonymously coding the Request for Discussions files from various Youth Protection Tables throughout The Netherlands. Age, sex, and the decision whether to investigate was directly coded from the files. The occurrence of domestic violence was coded by ten coders, who followed an elaborative training (κ sex = .939 range = .856-1.00; κ domestic violence = .352 range = .211- 1.00). A total of 40 files were coded and analysed. The results show no relationship between domestic violence and the decision to investigate by CPS. Furthermore, no moderating role for age or sex of the child was found. Explanations for these results are possible under- or overreporting of domestic violence, the small sample size and awareness of employees on their stereotypes. Limitations and implications are discussed. Future research should focus on repeating the current study with a bigger sample size and establishing a format of the Request for Discussion that contains all essential information, which can then be implemented throughout the Netherlands.Show less
