What role does a domestic violence risk assessment play in a contested parenting case?

In a contested parenting case involving allegations of family violence, a court can order or receive an assessment — typically prepared by a qualified professional such as a psychologist or social worker under the Children's Law Reform Act — that looks at the family's dynamics, the nature and risk posed by the alleged violence, and its likely impact on the child and on parenting arrangements going forward. This isn't a required step in every case, but where the facts are seriously disputed or the risk is unclear, it can give the court expert, independent input rather than relying solely on the parents' competing accounts.

An assessment typically involves interviews with both parents, sometimes the child, and a review of relevant records, and results in a report with observations and recommendations that the judge considers alongside all the other evidence — it informs the decision but doesn't replace the court's own analysis under the best-interests-of-the-child test. Because assessments can take real time and cost, anyone facing one should get legal advice on what to expect and how to prepare before participating.