Special Bulletin by the Leadership Council

Friday, April 16, 2010

11:19 PM

Special Bulletin by the Leadership Council: What can you do to help More
solve the crisis in the nation's family courts? information
on abuse
April 14, 2010 and custody
According to a conservative estimate by the Leadership Council, each year issues
more than 58,000 children are ordered by family courts into unsupervised
contact with physically or sexually abusive parents following divorce in the
United States. (link to press release)
This crisis is larger than the one in the Catholic Church. It is also more
dangerous. Children who are court ordered into the custody of their abuser
have no one to turn to for help as these custody determinations are backed
by the force of law.
What can you do to help solve the crisis in the nation's family courts?
Find out about the domestic violence laws in your state. Most states prevent
perpetrators of domestic violence from having custody or access. Is this law
being upheld in your state? Join with others and work within your state to
strengthen these laws.
1. Find out if Parental Alienation Theory being promoted in your
state. Abusive parents often gain custody by convincing court
evaluators that safety concerns raised by family members are
indicative of “parental alienation syndrome” – a pseudoscientific theory
that views child abuse claims as a custody ploy to deprive the accused
parent of custody. Too often, protective parents are labeled as
“parental alienators” and then punished by the courts for their
appropriate protective efforts. Lobby legislators to limit thus use of
nonscientifc theories in family court.
2. Demand specialized evaluations by experts in family violence in
custody cases involving allegations of domestic violence or child
abuse. A regular custody evaluation is not sufficient to uncover family
violence. Nor are evaluations done by Child Protective Services. Child
Protective service agencies are usually not adequately staffed to
comprehensively assess child abuse in the context of family conflict.
3. If you feel that the court system has harmed a child you know, tell
your story. Fill out our online questionnaire and share your story with
others. Careful research and increased media coverage are necessary
to expose this crisis.
4. Join with others who are concerned about the crisis. Examples of
some good organizations working to reform the nation's family court
system: The Battered Mother's Custody Conference, Justice for
Children, California Protective Parents Association, The Center for
Judicial Excellence, Protective Mother's Alliance, DVLEAP Custody
and Abuse Project, and Stop Family Violence.
5. Support the Leadership Council on Child Abuse and Interpersonal
Violence. The Leadership Council trains professionals, sponsors
research and submits amicus briefs in cases to inform the courts about
the most current science on child abuse, interpersonal violence, and
family conflict. Learn more about donating to the LC

The Leadership Council © 2005

Unfiled Notes Page 1

The Leadership Council © 2005

Ins erted from <http://www.leadershipcouncil.org/1/med/crisis.html>

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