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...]
‘Light the Night’ to Underscore Need for Child Protection Reform in Domestic Violence Laws
For the last year, Ali Kessler has worked through grief to turn tragedy into action. Blocked by courts from protecting her 4-year-old son, Greyson “Gigs” Kessler, from what she knew were growing threats to his safety, she was all but helpless until it was too late. Now, one year after Greyson’s death, a developing nonprofit Kessler created will hold an event to highlight the need for court … [Read more...]
Mother of Murdered Boy Leads Push for Change
The little boy who loved his dog, his sisters and his toys lost his life at the hands of his own father last fall. Dylan Thebo was murdered by his father at his father’s Lowell Township home on Aug. 31, 2021. Derek Thebo then died by suicide. Dylan’s mother says the signs of trouble were well-documented. “I think people aren’t believed. Because with especially the psychological abuse and the … [Read more...]
Someone is Mentally Ill, an Addict, or an Abuser: The Vastly Different Response in Family Court and in Life
Essay by Barry Goldstein Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Studies are medical research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. ACE tells us that exposure to trauma is far more harmful to children than previously understood and has lifelong consequences unless preventive responses are taken soon enough. There are ten ACEs. Having parents who are mentally ill or engage in substance … [Read more...]
Advocates, Lawmakers Say Family Court System is Failing Families it was Designed to Protect
NEW YORK - Growing calls for family court reform in the state come on the heels of a sobering statistic: 20 children have been killed by a parent in the past five years during custody disputes in New York. Advocates and lawmakers say the system is failing the families it was designed to protect. Read more here. … [Read more...]