On Safety’s Side – Protecting Those Vulnerable to Violence: Challenges to Notions of Neutrality in Supervised Visitation Centers

Visitation centers have argued that “putting kids first” requires neutrality in the “conflict” between the parents. But this position frequently puts adult victims of violence in unnecessary competition with their children for protection. The outcome can be harmful and contrary to the visitation centers’ intentions in adopting a stance of neutrality. This paper examines the practice of neutrality in relation to the protection of children and adult victims of ongoing abuse.