…At the news conference, Senator LaTonya Johnson, a Democrat from Milwaukee, read aloud the names of Milwaukee children killed by gun violence this year, highlighting the issue's impact on the city. But advocates also drew attention to how the topic of gun violence has an impact beyond the state's urban areas. That included Jennifer Gaspard, the mother of Henry Teuteberg. The 16-year-old boy … [Read more...]
Does an Expert Witness Need to Speak with all Parties?
By Barry Goldstein During our training to teach batterer classes, we often discussed the fact that much of domestic violence is counterintuitive. One would expect abusers to deny and minimize their abusive behavior, and they do. One would also expect alleged victims to exaggerate or even make up false reports of DV. Instead, it is very common for victims to minimize his abuse; … [Read more...]
“Shared Parenting” Places Ideology Over Children
by Barry Goldstein and Veronica York Just as custody courts developed responses for domestic violence at a time when no research was available, early proponents of shared parenting sought to experiment when there was no research about shared parenting. Initially, parents seeking shared parenting did so voluntarily, in situations where they were able to communicate and cooperate. There is now … [Read more...]
Judges Who Fail to do Their Due Diligence in Abuse Cases Are Complicit in Murder
When parents split up, joint custody may be ideal. But in cases of abuse, shared custody can be deadly. Throughout several custody hearings for seven-year-old Kayden Mancuso, her mother, Kathryn Sherlock repeatedly warned Pennsylvania Judge Jeffrey Trauger of the extensive history of violence by Kayden’s father, Jeffrey Mancuso. Kayden’s principal and teacher also provided testimony. Despite … [Read more...]
CA Senate Passes Rubio “Right to Pause” Family Court Bill, Increasing Protections for Children
In a bipartisan and unanimous vote, the California Senate passed a bill today by Senator Susan Rubio (D-Baldwin Park) that will protect victims and children by allowing for a pause in visitation if there are recent signs of escalating violent behavior by an abusive parent. Senate Bill 1265, “The Right to Pause Act: Child Custody Protection,” will amend the Family Code. It will clarify that in … [Read more...]