What is Supervised Visitation?
Supervised visitation refers to contact between a non-custodial parent and one or more children in the presence of a third person responsible for observing and seeking to ensure the safety of those involved.
What is Supervised Exchange?
Supervised exchange is supervision of the transfer of the child from one parent to the other. Supervision is limited to the exchange or transfer only with the remainder of the parent/child contact remaining unsupervised. Most frequently precautions are taken to assure that the two parents or other individuals exchanging the child do not come into contact with one another.
What is the purpose?
Both supervised visitation and supervised exchange are designed to assure that a child can have safe contact with an absent parent without having to be put in the middle of the parents’ conflicts or other problems. It is the child’s need that is paramount in making any decisions regarding the need for such supervision. However, there are also some significant benefits to parents. It is a tool that can help families as they go through difficult and/or transitional times. Some of the benefits for the various family members are:
For the children:
- It allows the children to maintain a relationship with both of their parents, something that is generally found to be an important factor in the positive adjustment to family dissolution.
- It allows them to anticipate the visits without stress of worrying about what is going to happen and to enjoy them in a safe, comfortable environment without having to be put in the middle of their parents’ conflicts and/or other problems.
For the custodial parents:
You do not have to communicate or have contact with a person with whom you are in conflict or by whom you might be frightened or intimidated. The arrangements can be made by a neutral party and there does not have to be contact.
You can relax and feel comfortable allowing your child to have contact with the other parent.
For the non-custodial parents:
You can be sure that your contact with your children does not have to be interrupted regardless of any personal or interpersonal problems you may be having.
If allegations have been made against you, which is often the case when supervision is ordered, you can visit without fear of any new accusations because there is someone present who can verify what happened during your time together. When using a professional service, you can also be assured that the supervisors are neutral and objective.
For further information, resources materials, etc. contact:
ND Council on Abused Women’s Services/
Coalition Against Sexual Assault
418 East Rosser Avenue, #320
Bismarck, ND 58501-4046
888-255-6240 or 701-255-6240
[Email]
Supervised Visitation Network
2804 Paran Pointe Drive
Cookeville, TN 38506
931-537-3414
[Supervised Visitation Network Website]
Clearinghouse on Supervised Visitation [Website]
