Lawyers and MPs in England and Wales express concern over ‘unregulated’ psychologists who play key role in disputes over domestic abuse. MPs, lawyers and charity leaders are among those calling for an urgent inquiry into the use of unregulated psychological experts in the family courts, after an investigation by the Observer. In a letter sent to the justice secretary, the victims’ … [Read more...]
Parental Alienation and the Unregulated Experts Shattering Children’s Lives
Amanda wept as she recalled her children being removed from her home several years ago – her youngest clinging to her as they were dragged away screaming. They were frightened. After all, they had made their feelings clear: “We want to stay with Mummy. We love Daddy but he scares us.” Yet their wishes were attributed to their mother’s “brainwashing”. She said he became violent and she found the … [Read more...]
New York Legislature: Experts in Child Custody Cases Must be Licensed
Legislation seeking to reform a key aspect of New York's Family Court system passed a crucial hurdle. By a unanimous vote, the state Senate passed the bill raising standards to be a "forensic evaluator" providing paid expertise in Family Court cases. Previously, the same bill had passed the Assembly. The bill is the first among a package seeking to increase child safety in Family Court that … [Read more...]
Family Courts Need Domestic Violence Experts: 20 Common Mistakes in Evaluations Judges Miss
Essay by Barry Goldstein & Veronica York The original sin family courts made in responding to domestic violence cases was turning to mental health professionals as if they were the experts. It is not that psychologists have nothing to contribute, but they do not have the specialized knowledge of domestic violence, child sexual abuse and other critical issues. The original mistake … [Read more...]
New York Teen Advocates On Behalf Of Late Toddler: Preventing Child Abuse in Custody Cases
14-year-old Shayna Blumenfeld of Port Washington, from home, appeared virtually in front of New York Governor Kathy Hochul’s Blue Ribbon Commission on Forensic Custody Evaluators, expressing the importance of making child safety the top priority in custody cases. Shayna is a youth ambassador for Kyra’s Champions, an organization that works to pass laws to protect children in child custody cases … [Read more...]