Domestic Violence and Child Neglect: A Social Welfare Case Management Perspective

Domestic violence remains a significant social problem with far-reaching consequences for women and children, often extending beyond spousal abuse to include child neglect. This paper examines a case of domestic violence managed by the Social Welfare Department, highlighting the implications of marital conflict, family restructuring, and parental neglect on child welfare. The case involves a married woman, Edidiong Jack, who reported repeated domestic abuse by her husband. During the course of social welfare mediation, the husband contracted another marriage, which intensified household conflict and emotional distress. As a result, the first wife relocated with her children for safety. Following separation, concerns of child neglect emerged, including inadequate financial support, irregular school attendance, and emotional deprivation. Social welfare professionals intervened through structured case management involving mediation, child protection assessment, parental responsibility enforcement, and psychosocial support for the affected family members. The intervention prioritized the best interests of the children while addressing the safety and welfare needs of the mother. The paper underscores the critical role of social welfare systems in managing domestic violence cases, preventing child neglect, and safeguarding children’s rights. It further emphasizes the need for strengthened social welfare policies, effective enforcement of parental responsibilities, and increased public awareness of the impact of domestic violence on child wellbeing.