Within the shelter where I work, we do have child advocates. It is really important for the child to have support in place, someone who can do a bit more assessment. We've seen a lot in terms of behavioural changes with children when they first come to the shelter. The impact of abuse is just a lot. It's way more than I can even describe in this room today. We've seen lots and lots of changes in children when they come. It has been a lot of work to get them to unlearn some behaviours they have learned as witnesses or as people who have experienced abuse.
Definitely it would be beneficial to the child if there was an advocate or some form of support for the child. Maybe it even makes it less adversarial between the two parents that this child has a voice through this advocate or this independent support.