Most research on secondary victimization in the context of intimate partner violence (IPV) has focused on the criminal justice system. However, some studies have shown that post-separation and custody arrangements also emerge as critical settings where secondary victimization can affect both women and their children. Nevertheless, literature still lacks a systematic analysis that examines its specific manifestations in this context, as well as its potential causes and implications.
This exploratory study aims to provide an in-depth understanding of the secondary victimization experienced by IPV survivors and their children, perpetrated by service providers involved in child protection services. We conducted semi-structured interviews with 26 professionals from Italian gender-based violence (GBV) services, collecting their professional perspectives as privileged witnesses. A thematic analysis was performed.
The results reveal that, beyond well-known forms of victim-blaming or minimization (e.g., labeling IPV as "marital conflict"), service providers involved in post-separation arrangements may perpetrate secondary victimization through specific dynamics. These include constant scrutiny and questioning of the survivor's maternal competence, gendered expectations around parenting, and misinterpretation of trauma-related responses and distress. Children exposed to IPV also experience secondary victimization, including dismissal of their perspectives, inadequate interview procedures, and enforced co-parenting arrangements that overlook safety concerns. Moreover, survivors with a migration background and/or disabilities face distinct challenges. Consequences include trauma, confusion, and disempowerment for both women and children, which may lead to disengagement from services. In addition, interagency cooperation remains inconsistent, partly due to lack of GBV-specific training, legal ambiguities and professionals' personal biases, with GBV practitioners often compensating for these shortcomings.
In conclusion, these findings illustrate specific manifestations of secondary victimization in post-separation contexts and its impact on both IPV survivors and their children. Strengthening service providers' awareness through targeted training is essential to prevent secondary victimization, improve GBV services, and promote safer outcomes and survivors' wellbeing.