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AUSTIN CHILD CUSTODY SERVICES William G. Austin, Ph.D. Licensed Psychologist Northwest Colorado Psychological Services dba www.child-custody-services.com P.O. Box 883009 Evergreen, CO 80439 970-871-4527 voice 303-217-8990 fax
e-mail address: wgaustinphd2@yahoo.com
Domestic and Partner Violence in the Child Custody Case
Dr. Austin is a recognized expert on how to consider the issue of past domestic and partner violence in the context of a parenting evaluation. He has created a forensic model of risk assessment on how to consider this issue as part of an evaluation. This model of risk assessment and subtypes of partner violence is widely used by evaluators across the country. It helps evaluators and courts to better understand the context of past aggressive actions between former partners and how it might affect parenting and the children. Domestic violence is best viewed as part of a continuum of conflict between parents that has occurred in the past and may be continuing as a problem that will affect the welfare of the children. Dr. Austin’s work on the assessment of credibility of allegations is an important tool to evaluate allegations of past violence when there has not been criminal charges. The issue of “spousal abuse” is a factor that creates a rebuttable presumption against joint custody or decision making so it is important for the court to have a clear picture of what type of conflict or violence has occurred in the past. Partner violence has strong implications for the creation of parenting plans concerning decision making, co-parenting, parenting time schedules, and relocation. Couples often separate after an incident of alleged domestic violence. Usually, a temporary restraining order will be issued and the father may be prevented from seeing his children for weeks or even months. A timely examination of the risk of harm to the children by contact with the father is in the best interests of the children.
Dr. Austin’s publications in peer reviewed journals on partner violence and child custody include the following:
Austin, W. G. (2000). Assessing Credibility in Allegations of Martial Violence in the High-Conflict Child Custody Case. Family and Conciliation Courts Review, 38, 462-477.
Austin, W. G. (2001). Partner Violence and Risk Assessment in Child Custody Evaluations. Family Court Review, 39, 483-496. This article was selected to appear in the book on Essays in the Family Court Review that is published conjointly by the Family Court Review and Hostra University School of Law..
Dr. Austin has presented the following workshop on domestic violence and child custody (with Dr. Jonathan Gould):
Assessment of Partner Violence within the Context of a Child Custody Evaluation: Research, Subtypes, and Risk Assessment. Invited Workshop for Association of Family and Conciliation Courts, California Chapter, Annual Meetings, February 11, 2005, Sonoma, CA.
Dr. Austin offers services on the consideration of partner violence and child custody: evaluations, mediation with arbitration (parenting coordinator), trial consultation, and work product reviews. When partner violence is a central focus in a case and evaluation, either for or against an attorney’s client, then consultation and testimony may be helpful to examine an evaluator’s methodology for considering the issue and whether a risk assessment was competently conducted; review of the relevant research concerning violence and effects on children; and concerning the cross-examination of witnesses. It is not uncommon for an evaluator to either under-estimate or over-estimate the risk of harm to a child. Consultation can help clarify the issue.
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