Thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Social Sciences in Psychology at the University of Waikato

The purpose of this study is to investigate what kind of impact family justice interventions have upon children where the parent has been arrested or otherwise subjected to the intervention of the justice system because of family violence. The two main aims of this research are to explore children's understanding of the legal intervention that was imposed upon their parent, and to assess the emotional impact of this intervention upon their lives. A phenomenological approach was taken to this study. The research centred on the experiences of 10 children aged between 9 and 17, and took the format of individual interviews. The interviews focused on children's perceptions prior to, during, and immediately after the intervention. Six custodial parents and caregivers were also interviewed. The parents and caregivers provided some insight into the background of each family, and the experiences of each child. The themes that emerged from the interviews with the children and the parents/caregivers were drawn together under five broad headings: the violence in the family, the interventions on the parent, the awareness of the children, the needs of the children, and the consequences for the children. It was found that children seldom understood why interventions occurred, and were rarely informed of what was happening. Children are usually distressed by the justice interventions, are frequently disempowered by the circumstances surrounding the intervention process, and often remain ignorant of the details. The research highlights the importance of reassessing the intervention process, especially with regard to children who witness it. It also raises questions about the kind of information that needs to be given to children and how that can be done. It has wider implications too, for those who work with children who are at risk. The author suggests that if we take note of what children say and feel, and allow them some form of personal control in a distressing and disempowering situation, it may be possible to reduce the negative impact of the intervention process overall.--AUTHOR'S ABSTRACT

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