Pages tagged with Legal Abuse
News Article
1 divorce: 54 hearings, 5 judges, $200,000
Toronto Star, May 8, 2009
Gloria Lewis finally worked up the courage to leave her abusive husband six years ago and thought she and her two young children would be well on their way to a new life within six months. But next week she heads to court for the 54th time and will appear before the fifth judge to handle the couple's divorce proceedings, having spent more than $200,000 in legal fees and amassed four boxes of legal documents.
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News Article
Home Court Disadvantage
Pacific Sun, May 29, 2009
Critics of the Marin County Family Court system claim it is rife with corruption and cronyism, and in general not following the law in the determination of custody cases. As a result of this controversy, state Senator Mark Leno is asking the Legislature's Joint Legal Audit Committee to investigate family courts to see if there is a problem. More
News Article
Protesters say NJ court denies justice to women
New Jersey Jewish News, April 30, 2009
More than 100 women, many active in several local and national Jewish organizations, picketed outside the family courts in downtown Newark Monday, demanding that its judges give more equitable treatment to alleged victims of physical and mental abuse. Organizers charged that judges often side with men and tend to disbelieve women’s allegations that they and their children have been physically and sometimes sexually abused by former husbands. More
News Article
Families' futures decided with little oversight
August 7, 2007
In the field of family law, a little-examined group of professionals has enough influence to separate fathers from children and relegate mothers to weekends-only status, based on little more than an opinion. So-called parent evaluators need no particular credentials or training. They may use any method they wish, charge what they please and remain virtually free of oversight. Yet their word can upend families in a single stroke. More
News Article
Shooting the Messenger In Child Abuse Cases
Connecticut Law Tribune, August 25, 2008
In a story headlined "Mom Gets Daughter, Dad Gets $3.5 Million" (July 14, 2008), the Connecticut Law Tribune reported on the "malicious prosecution" case brought by a father against his child's mother, seeking damages for what he claims was her malicious allegation that he sexually abused his daughter. More
News Article
Family Battles Questionable Custody Decision
WSMV -TV News, May 18, 2007
A middle Tennessee family said they have proof that a local judge granted the custody of a child to his sexually abusive father. (this story includes a video of the news broadcast) More
Magazine Article
Jana's View: Parental Alienation
Phoenix Magazine, May 1, 2006
Abusive fathers are convincing the courts that mothers are "coaching" their kids to fear their fathers. It's called Parental Alienation Syndrome and its a serious issue. More
Magazine Article
The Illusion of Protection
Domestic Violence Report, May 1, 2006
Because of growing awareness of the harm of domestic violence to children is that 49 states (and Connecticut by case law) enacted laws requiring judges to consider the domestic violence (DV) in making custody determinations. States also enacted or strengthened their order of protection (OP) laws. In addition, at least 24 states have enacted statutory presumptions that batterers not get custody. Even with such clear legislative intent to protect abused mothers and their children, all too often mothers still face the reality that they are unable to protect their children and themselves, despite the existence of substantial proof, OPs, or even with court findings of abuse. More
Report
Protective Parents Survey - Pilot Study Results
California Protective Parents Association, October 2, 2006
The current study is the pilot results of a national survey undertaken to study the issue of protective parents. Sixty-seven self-identified "protective parents," male and female, completed a 101-item questionnaire describing aspects of their custody disputes. The pilot data to be presented includes the systematic documentation of the phenomenon of protective parents by including demographic factors, economic impact, and the full variety of protection issues including the range of allegations by both parents and others, the variety of expert examinations, diagnosis and testimony, family court response, and outcomes for children. More
Report
Arizona Battered Mothers Testimony Project
Dianne Post J.D., June 1, 2003
The Arizona Coalition Against Domestic Violence implemented the Battered Mothers’ Testimony Project (BMTP) to explore the lived experiences of battered women in family court matters when child custody is an issue and domestic violence is present. Previous studies suggested that battered women do not face a level playing field in the family court. Discrimination abounds and myths pervade the judicial process. The rights of the children are not upheld and the victims of violence receive neither protection nor justice. We hope the report will lead to public discussion of the problems and issues, create impetus for change, and lay down a roadmap for positive resolution. More
Magazine Article
Batterer Manipulation and Retaliation: Denial and Complicity In the Family Courts
Feminista, June 15, 2001
Most family court judges insist that people going through custody and divorce cases are good people, but that they often behave very badly because they are so stressed out by the pressures of the separation and court dispute. The reality is that nothing could be further from the truth for the men who abuse their female intimate partners and children. More