Protection Orders in Alcohol-Related Domestic Violence Cases Involving Children: Assessing the Effectiveness of Child Protection

Abstract

Domestic violence involving children and alcohol abuse presents a critical challenge for child protection systems. In Lithuania, most children are removed from families due to alcohol-related violence, yet the effectiveness of protection orders (PO) in such contexts remains underexplored. This project addresses that gap by examining how POs, introduced in mid-2023, function in domestic violence situations. Using police data, the study analyses factors such as perpetrator intoxication, child presence, and risk assessment outcomes to evaluate systemic responses. The overall aim is to assess the effectiveness of PO in protecting children from recurring harm in alcohol-related domestic violence situations. The theoretical framework integrates the ACE model, risk assessment theory, child protection policy analysis, and a child-centred intervention effectiveness model that accounts for both intended and unintended outcomes of legal and institutional responses. The research applies a transdisciplinary mixed-methods approach. Quantitative analysis of police records (n ≈ 20,000) will identify risk factors and measure intervention recurrence in DV cases involving children. Document analysis of selected cases will be used to identify the cumulative harms of adverse childhood experiences. Qualitative semi-structured interviews (n = 25–30) with professionals will provide insight into implementation challenges and institutional practices.