In Australia, the female prisoner population is expanding, with the majority also being mothers of dependent children. Research has demonstrated that witnessing the arrest of a family member, particularly a parent, can have both an immediate and long-term impact on children’s well-being. Yet, little is known about what causes these outcomes and how children are responded to by police during the arrest process. The aim of this study is to investigate incarcerated primary carer mothers’ perspectives on their arrest circumstances, its impact on their children, and police responses to their children during the arrest process. This study draws on secondary data from 36 primary carer mothers arrested in Victoria, which were originally gathered for an Australian Research Council-funded project. Results show that in around one-half of cases children are present at their mothers’ arrest. The location and time of the arrest can mediate children’s involvement in the arrest scene. Overall, police do not respond well to these children, with discussion between police officers and the mothers about suitable care for children occurring in less than two-thirds of cases. It can be concluded that children’s needs are not fully addressed at the arrest process. More child-sensitive arrest practices are recommended.

中文翻译：

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在主要照顾母亲被捕期间保护儿童：警察的作用

在澳大利亚，女性囚犯人数正在增加，其中大多数也是受抚养子女的母亲。研究表明，目睹家庭成员，尤其是父母被捕，会对儿童的福祉产生直接和长期的影响。然而，人们对导致这些结果的原因以及在逮捕过程中警察如何回应儿童知之甚少。本研究的目的是调查被监禁的主要照顾者母亲对其被捕情况的看法、其对子女的影响以及警方在逮捕过程中对子女的反应。这项研究利用了在维多利亚州被捕的 36 名主要照顾母亲的二手数据，这些数据最初是为澳大利亚研究委员会资助的项目收集的。结果显示，在大约一半的案件中，儿童在母亲被捕时在场。逮捕的地点和时间可以调解儿童参与逮捕现场的情况。总体而言，警方对这些儿童的反应并不好，只有不到三分之二的案件发生在警察和母亲之间讨论适当照顾儿童的情况。可以得出结论，在逮捕过程中没有充分满足儿童的需求。建议采取更多对儿童敏感的逮捕做法。可以得出结论，在逮捕过程中没有充分满足儿童的需求。建议采取更多对儿童敏感的逮捕做法。可以得出结论，在逮捕过程中没有充分满足儿童的需求。建议采取更多对儿童敏感的逮捕做法。