In a pioneering effort led by the judiciary, key systems and agencies have joined together to address the phenomenon of co-occurring domestic violence and child maltreatment. The DCIPFV uses a two-pronged strategy to enhance the safety and well-being of children. It conducts comprehensive assessments of children to identify and respond to their needs, and it helps battered mothers recover from their own victimization and regain their ability to protect themselves and their children. Domestic violence victim advocates help battered women navigate the complicated child welfare and court systems and obtain other remedies, such as civil protection orders and community resources. Working cooperatively toward the same goal (safety), the advocates and child protection agents reconcile objectives that they previously perceived as conflicting. As the child protection system focused exclusively on children's safety and well-being and victim advocates focused exclusively on battered women's safety and well-being, these groups came to view their objectives as inherently clashing. By shifting their attention to the safety of both abused children and their battered mothers, however, these service providers have overcome the previous barriers to cooperation. The recognition of both constituencies' compelling need for safety has led to joint efforts to increase children's safety and well-being by increasing the safety and autonomy of their battered mothers as well as efforts to hold the perpetrators accountable for their violence. 26 footnotes