Study: Antelope Valley lacks services for domestic violence

A new UCLA study points to a lack of services for the large number of domestic violence victims in the Antelope Valley.

There have been several high-profile cases where Antelope Valley children have died within the Department of Children and Family Services system. The study suggests that the problem starts with the dearth of social services in the area.

“About 50% of children coming into the child welfare system are experiencing or have had exposure to domestic violence,” said Taylor Dudley, executive director of UCLA’s Pritzker Center. “And that's not because of DCFS. That’s actually because our social and economic infrastructure lacks the support that families need.”

Dudley said DCFS is the “safety net” that has to pick up the pieces after domestic violence impacts families. But she pointed out various obstacles facing domestic violence survivors in child welfare cases, including financial strains, racial bias, and the power dynamics of child welfare investigations.

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The study offered a long list of recommendations, including better collaboration between domestic violence and child welfare services, better training for providers, and more services overall.

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