OVW FY 2012 Safe Havens: Supervised Visitation and Safe Exchange Program

The Supervised Visitation Program provides an opportunity for communities to support supervised visitation and safe exchange of children in situations involving domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, child abuse, or stalking. Studies have shown that the risk of violence is often greater for victims of domestic violence and their children after separation from an abusive situation. Even after separation, batterers often use visitation and exchange of children as an opportunity to inflict additional emotional, physical, and/or psychological abuse on victims and their children. Visitation and exchange services provided through the Supervised Visitation Program should reflect a clear understanding of the dynamics of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking; the impact of domestic violence on children; and the importance of holding offenders accountable for their actions.