Health, Legal and Security Costs Associated with Improved Safety from Family Violence During Family Court Involvement

Abstract Purpose Parent separation involving litigation and concurrent family violence (FV) risks is costly on many fronts. Costs borne by society toward improved safety from FV are essential and associated public policy should be well targeted. This study examined legal, safety, health, and well-being costs incurred by litigating parents over the first year of involvement in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 1 and 2, collectively the Courts). We examined whether costs over this year differed for parents by FV risk status. Methods The sample comprised 416 litigant parents. FV risk was assessed on entry to court, and one year later, together with expenditure throughout this period. Results Expenditure for the year across safety, health, well-being and legal costs averaged AUD $41,041 (total sample $17.1 million). Expenditure on physical security measures (e.g., locks, alarms, changing phones) for those at continued FV risk was 931% more likely than for parents reporting continuous safety. Expenditure on counseling for the parent or their children was highly associated with becoming safer. Mothers bore highest costs for security and healthcare costs. Fathers incurred higher costs for legal and mediation services. Legal costs were not associated with risk status. Conclusion Our findings inform an emerging typology of expenditure promoting of risk containment and safety enhancement for court involved families. Within this, early identification of FV risk, investment in counseling for parents and children and targeted support for mothers, who bear highest costs for security and health in the face of FV risks, are key.