Dombrowski et al v. United States: A petition filed on behalf of 10 protective mothers, one victimized child now grown to adult, and six organizations at the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights against the United States for the pattern and practice of courts granting custody and unsupervised visitation to abusers and molesters.

Diane Post

  Dombrowski et al v. United States (2007) A petition filed on behalf of 10 protective mothers, one victimized child now grown to adult, and six organizations at the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights against the United States for the pattern and practice of courts granting custody and unsupervised visitation to abusers and molesters.

Entire Petition HERE

Diane Post On behalf of 10 protective mothers, one adult child, and 6 organizations, Post filed a petition with the Inter American Commission on Human Rights on 11 May 2007. The petition was supported by 17 national and state organizations as well.  The petition claims that the U.S. is violating the Declaration of Rights and Responsibilities of Man by the policy and practice of giving child custody or unsupervised visitation to abusers and molesters.  To read the petition, go to www.stopfamilyviolence.org

Send your comments      
and suggestions             

RAPPORTEURSHIP ON THE RIGHTS OF WOMEN
Inter-American Commission on Human Rights
1889 F St. NW
Washington D.C. 20006
USA

Abused Mothers’ Mental Health

  The link to the study concerning this at OSU http://researchnews.osu.edu/archive/motheripv.htm

This was published by HHS - what do they suggest doing about this problem? Simple solution is to NOT share custody.

http://www.hhs.gov/news/healthbeat/2010/11/20101101a.html

HHS HealthBeat (November 01, 2010)

Abused mothers’ mental health

Listen to Tip
Interested?

Take the Next Step

From the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, I’m Nicholas Garlow with HHS HealthBeat.

Even after leaving an abusive relationship, women may still show signs of increased depression and anxiety.  A study done at Ohio State University examined the mental health of 2,400 mothers in sustained and broken relationships.

Almost half the mothers who left their abuser still had contact with them on a weekly basis.  Claire Kamp Dush is an assistant professor of human development and family study at Ohio State.

“All of the women in our study shared children with these men and so it’s likely that they continued to be abused or to at least face some sort of abuse even after the relationship ended.” (10 seconds)

The study in Social Science Research was supported by the National Institutes of Health.

Learn more at hhs.gov.

HHS HealthBeat is a production of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. I’m Nicholas Garlow.

Last revised: October, 29 2010

VPC--"When Men Murder Women" Released for Domestic Violence Awareness Month

 

In 2008, as in years past, the state of Florida did not submit any data to the FBI

Supplementary Homicide Report. Data from Florida was not requested individually because the

difference in collection techniques would create a bias in the study results.

Each year for Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October the Violence Policy Center releases the report "When Men Murder Women."  This annual VPC publication details national and state-by-state information on female homicides involving one female murder victim and one male offender and ranks the states by this homicide victimization rate.  This year, Nevada led the nation in the rate of women killed by men, followed by Vermont, Alabama, North Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Arkansas and Missouri (tied), South Carolina, and Georgia.

The study is a key tool used by domestic violence prevention advocates and state and local policymakers in support of domestic violence prevention policies.

See a copy of the study's press release with a link to the full report at:

http://www.vpc.org/press/1009dv.htm

See a Huffington Post blog I wrote about the study and its findings at:  http://www.huffingtonpost.com/josh-sugarmann/top-ten-most-murderous-st_b_774021.html

See some of the press coverage the study has received across the nation at:

http://www.vpc.org/inthenews.htm

Watch and share a VPC YouTube video on the gun industry's most recent marketing effort to women at:  http://www.youtube.com/vpcvideos

As we state in the press release that accompanied the study's release, "These findings alarmingly demonstrate how domestic violence can escalate to homicide. More resources need to be made available to protect women and prevent such tragedies."

Thank you, as always, for your support of the Violence Policy Center and our efforts to stop gun death and injury.

Sincerely,

Josh Sugarmann

Executive Director

***

Follow the VPC on:

Facebook: 

http://www.facebook.com/pages/manage/#!/pages/Violence-Policy-Center/284334690298 and

http://www.facebook.com/pages/manage/#!/pages/Violence-Policy-Center-Concealed-Carry-Killers/258069527568

Twitter:  http://twitter.com/VPCinfo

YouTube:  http://www.youtube.com/user/VPCvideos

To contribute to the VPC and help support our important work, please visit https://www.vpc.org/donate.asp.

__._,_.___

The Eighth Annual Battered Mothers Custody Conference: BMCC VIII: "The Unity Conference" January 7th, 8th, and 9th, 2011

www.batteredmotherscustodyconference.org

Battered Women, Abused Children, and Child Custody:

“A National Crisis”

The Eighth Annual Battered Mothers Custody Conference

BMCC VIII: "The Unity Conference”

January 7th, 8th, & 9th, 2011

(Friday evening, 6 p.m. - Sunday afternoon)

Holiday Inn Turf

205 Wolf Road, Albany, NY

(Five minutes away from Albany International Airport)

Reserve early to get the $99 conference rate!

Call: 1-800-HOLIDAY or 518-458-7250

Ask for the Battered Mothers Custody Conference block.

A major focus this year will be to connect battered mothers with organizations working locally, nationally, and internationally to combat unjust family court practices that continue to do untold harm to battered mothers and their children.

For updated details and registration, please visit www.batteredmotherscustodyconference.org

Please reproduce and distribute this announcement and the conference brochure available online at www.batteredmotherscustodyconference.org.

 

OBAMA ADMINISTRATION HIGHLIGHTS UNPRECEDENTED COORDINATION ACROSS FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO COMBAT VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN

Remarks by the President at Domestic Violence Awareness Event TRANSCRIPT

October 27, 2010 Domestic Violence Awareness Month | The White House - Watch more Politics Videos at Vodpod.

 

TRANSCRIPT

As part of the White House activities today, this was also released. Let’s hope they are serious about this.

As part of ongoing Administration efforts to reduce domestic and sexual abuse, HHS, HUD, DOJ, Treasury, Labor and FDIC announce new initiatives to protect victims of abuse, provide resources to prevent abuse

Today, the Obama Administration is highlighting unprecedented coordination and cooperation across the entire government to protect victims of domestic and sexual violence and enable survivors to break the cycle of abuse. As part of this ongoing government-wide effort, HHS, HUD, DOJ, Treasury, Labor and FDIC today announced new initiatives to protect victims of abuse and provide resources for families and communities to prevent abuse. Violence is still a significant barrier in many women’s lives, and this Administration is committed to taking concrete action to reduce domestic violence in this country. One-in-every-four women experiences domestic violence during their lifetimes and more than 20 million women in the U.S. have been victims of rape. Approximately 15.5 million children are exposed to domestic violence every year. The impact of abuse lingers for years, both for victims and their children.

In response, the President has called on every agency in the Federal government to be part of the solution to ending violence against women. Domestic violence and sexual assault are not just criminal justice issues – the scope and far-reaching effects of violence require a coordinated response across the Federal government.

The initiatives announced and highlighted today demonstrate a broad, comprehensive response to reducing violence against women. Specifically, these concrete actions include steps to:
• Protect Children and Break the Cycle of Violence
• Improve Legal Protections for Victims of Domestic Violence
• Increase Sexual Assault Arrests and Successful Prosecutions
• Help Victims Regain Housing and Financial Independence

Protect Children and Break the Cycle of Violence
Intervening early to reach children and young families experiencing domestic and sexual violence is a crucial element of our strategy to end violence against women. Without intervention, children who witness violence are at greater risk of developing behavioral problems, psychiatric disorders, school failure, and violence against others.
• Through the Affordable Care Act’s new Pregnancy Assistance Fund, 5 states (NC, NM, OR, VA, and WA) will start this month providing help for pregnant women who are victims of domestic and sexual violence. High schools, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) offices, health clinics, and child welfare agencies will have tools to reach vulnerable women and connect them with services. One in twelve adult women are abused during pregnancy and 25-50% of adolescent mothers experience domestic violence before, during, or just after pregnancy. Children born to abused mothers are 30% more likely to require intensive care upon birth.
• The Affordable Care Act’s new Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program provides $1.5 billion over five years to States for evidence-based home visitation services. The law requires every state to consider domestic violence as one of six benchmarks in improving the health and safety of families in at-risk communities. Nurses, social workers, educators, child development specialists or other well-trained staff will promote the health and well-being of children and their families in these communities, intervening early to reduce rates of domestic violence and child abuse.
• The HHS Head Start program is reaching out to pregnant women and parents of young children to prevent and respond to domestic violence. Head Start centers in 6 states (AL, FL, MI, MT, NM, and SC) are launching a community-based Safe Families, Safe Homes early education curriculum. This effort will help Head Start staff and community partners identify and respond to young children exposed to violence. This week, HHS is also sending guidance to thousands of Head Start and other early childhood programs across the country and urging them to address domestic violence by providing these programs with information about the Safe Families, Safe Homes curriculum and other available resources.
• The Attorney General has launched the Defending Childhood Initiative to protect children from the harmful consequences of witnessing violence. The initiative will work to prevent exposure to all types of violence and build children’s resiliency to recover and thrive when violence does occur.
• The new HHS Enhancing Services for Children and Youth Exposed to Domestic Violence program supports innovative, evidence-informed services for children exposed to domestic violence. Starting this month, projects in four states (AK, NJ, ID, and WI) and a national clearinghouse will help children heal from the trauma of abuse and build stronger community services.

Improve Legal Protections for Victims of Domestic Violence
Providing victims with greater access to legal assistance and civil protection orders are essential strategies in reducing abuse. Studies show that access to legal services helps victims escape from abusive relationships, and that access to counsel has reduced domestic violence by as much as 21%. Protective orders are effective in reducing the level of violence and fear of harm for many victims, but they must be properly enforced.
• Today, the Department of Justice Office on Violence Against Women, in partnership with the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges, is releasing new tools for communities to improve enforcement of protective orders. Civil Protection Orders: A Guide for Improving Practice will keep victims and their children safe by providing guidance to advocates, attorneys, judges, law enforcement officers, and prosecutors to ensure that protective orders are issued, served and enforced throughout the United States.
• Today, the Department of Justice, with assistance from the White House, is launching Access to Justice for Domestic Violence Victims, a pilot project to encourage more commitment from the private bar to provide pro bono legal services to victims of domestic violence. Beginning in New Orleans and Baltimore, private law firms will hire law students who have participated in law school clinics and defer their start dates while they work at domestic violence service providers. The lawyers will help victims secure protective orders, navigate the family courts, and access safe housing. Access to Justice will encourage ongoing pro bono partnerships between private law firms, domestic violence service providers and law school clinics.

Increase Sexual Assault Arrests and Successful Prosecutions
One in six women and one in thirty-three men will be sexually assaulted in their lifetimes, but fewer than 1 in 6 rapes are reported to the police. Women who have been raped have high rates of PTSD, depression, anxiety, and suicide attempts.
• The Department of Justice Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) is launching a new national campaign to reduce sexual violence in the United States by improving the criminal justice system response, increasing services for victims, and changing attitudes. Today, the White House Council on Women and Girls and the Department of Justice held the first ever national roundtable on sexual violence at the White House. Over the next six months, OVW will hold regional forums around the country to engage the public in their sexual assault reduction campaign. In the 2011 budget, President Obama has proposed doubling funding for VAWA programs serving victims of sexual assault.
• Reducing the backlog of rape kits can be a powerful way to get rapists off the streets. Today, the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) is launching a new effort to identify long term solutions to the DNA backlog of sexual assault cases. In up to 5 jurisdictions, the project will team researchers with law enforcement agencies, crime labs, prosecutors, and victim advocates. The teams will identify underlying causes of the backlog, create new systems for tracking, screening and testing DNA evidence, and apply strategies to prevent backlogs from developing in the future. As a result of this project, NIJ aims to eliminate backlogs and develop innovative practices that can be adapted nationwide.

Help Victims Regain Housing and Financial Independence
Perpetrators of domestic violence often create serious obstacles that prevent victims from achieving economic independence and self-sufficiency. Without financial independence and a stable place to live, victims and their children are trapped with nowhere else to go. As a result, victims of domestic violence are often forced to choose between staying in an abusive relationship or facing economic hardship, poverty, and homelessness. But when victims improve their economic stability, they increase their likelihood of living separately from their abusers.
• Today, Secretary Donovan is releasing much-anticipated rules that provide guidance to housing authorities and landlords to evict perpetrators of abuse, keep their properties safe, and make sure victims do not lose their housing due to crimes committed against them. Prior to the passage of the Violence Against Women Act of 2005, victims of domestic violence were afraid to call the police or seek help because their landlords might find out about the assault and evict them. VAWA created new protections for victims in publicly assisted housing, but rules governing these provisions were never finalized.
• Last month, the Department of the Treasury and the White House convened domestic violence organizations, asset-building experts, credit union organizations, and other financial educators to determine ways to help victims build credit, access safe financial products, and save for the future. Treasury is working with the Financial Literacy and Education Commission, its MyMoney.gov website, the President’s Advisory Council on Financial Capability, and its private sector and government partners to connect domestic violence organizations with existing financial education and access resources.
• The FDIC is also helping victims recover from financial abuse by updating their popular Money Smart financial literacy curriculum to include information for victims of domestic violence. The new Money Smart curriculum will be available Friday, October 29th.
• Two weeks ago, HHS launched a new coordinated effort to ensure that more victims of domestic violence file for Federal refundable tax credits like the Earned Income Tax Credit, use low-cost tax preparation services, and use tax time as an opportunity to access tools like savings bonds that help them save for the future.
• Access to non-traditional job training can be an important tool for victims of domestic violence to rebuild financial stability. In the coming weeks, the Department of Labor Women’s Bureau is releasing A Woman’s Guide to Green Jobs and coordinating with Wider Opportunities for Women and the National Network to End Domestic Violence to make sure that survivors have access to new green jobs.
• Today, in partnership with the Family Violence Prevention Fund, the Office on Violence Against Women is launching a new virtual resource for employers to address the impacts of domestic violence in the workplace. www.workplacesrespond.org provides new tools for employers, including interactive training and customized model policies to keep victims safely employed.

Respond to Urgent Needs with the President’s 2011 Budget Request
• In response to the need to strengthen services to victims, the President’s 2011 budget proposed an additional $130 million to help victims find shelter, counseling, legal assistance, transitional housing and other direct services. $100 million of the increase is from the Crime Victims’ Fund, which does not consist of taxpayer dollars; it is self-sustaining and supported by criminal fines, forfeited bail bonds, and penalties for federal offenders.

Children who witness domestic violence suffer long-term effects

http://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/Global/story.asp?S=13375065

Clara Priester

Clara's sons, Damon and Brandon as children

Clara's sons, Damon and Brandon as adults

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By Minna Sugimoto - bio | email

WAIKELE (HawaiiNewsNow) - Our focus on domestic violence this month continues with a look at how children who witness the abuse are affected.  A Waikele woman, who escaped an abusive relationship decades ago, says the violence continues to haunt her sons who are now adults.

Clara Priester enjoys her work selling Mary Kay Cosmetics.

"It's a full size hand cream and two small, mini samples," she explained to a client.

But there was a time, she says, when makeup played a different role in her life -- concealing the bruise left on her face by a drunken husband.

"He became very angry, pulled me out of bed and began beating me," she recalled.  "It took seven layers of that for me to apply to cover up the bruise."

While Clara was able to escape the abusive relationship, she says her children, who witnessed the violence, continue to suffer the effects.

Her older son, Damon, was just three years old when he was forced to step up following a beating.

"He stood there for a minute looking at me and I said, it's ok," she recalled.  "He approached me.  He climbed up on the couch.  He put his arm around me.  He said, mom, don't worry, it's going to be all right, everything is going to be ok.  Looking back on that now, I realize that he did assume a parental role in a sense."

Clara says Damon and brother Brandon were not physically abused, but still went through behavioral changes and difficulties establishing relationships at school, and even became suicidal.

"I felt guilty, the guilt of what's happening to my children," she said.  "But I really felt like I had nowhere to go."

She says the struggle for Damon, the older one who saw more of the violence, continued into adulthood.

"Began abusing drugs and alcohol and, as a result, was incarcerated on more than one occasion," she said.  "He has a very fragmented sense of family."

Brandon eventually joined the Army and is now thriving.  In that, Clara hopes others will see a message of hope.

"Brandon, who has done very well in the military, who is a responsible citizen and doing very well, is the same child that witnessed what we just talked about," she said.

Now married to a different man, Clara, 53, has found the strength to talk to community groups about domestic violence.

"One of the things that I really, really take time on during the presentations is answering the question why don't they leave, why don't women leave," she said.  "Because what you don't ever hear is why doesn't he stop."

“DANGEROUS” CLAUDINE DOMBROWSKI ATTENDS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE RALLY: DOES SHE FACE JUDICIAL RETALIATION AGAIN?

Posted by Nancy Carroll www.RightsForMothers.com

‹ Kansas Clown Jason P. Hoffman Corrupts Justice Again: Claudine Dombrowski is Screwed Over As Usual in Court —

24.OCT.2010 “DANGEROUS” CLAUDINE DOMBROWSKI ATTENDS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE RALLY: DOES SHE FACE JUDICIAL RETALIATION AGAIN?

FILED IN: CHILD CUSTODY BATTLE, CHILD CUSTODY FOR SALE, CHILDREN'S RIGHTS, CLAUDINE DOMBROWSKI,CORRUPT JUDGES, CORRUPT LAWYERS, CORRUPT BASTARDS, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, DON HOFFMAN,FACEBOOK, FATHERS RIGHTS, HAL RICHARDSON, HUMAN RIGHTS, JASON P. HOFFMAN, JILL DYKES, JUDGE DAVID DEBENHAM, JUDGES WHO BREAK THE LAW, JUDICIAL IMMUNITY, KANSAS, RIKKI DOMBROWSKI, CHILD CUSTODY FOR ABUSERS, JUDICIAL RETALIATION

If anyone should face jail time it is snorting Topeka lawyer Jason P. Hoffman for aiding and abetting a convicted abuser Hal Richardson and for lying in court (yeah, I’m not forgetting he claimed Claudine was me….Hoffman LIED willingly after I provided information in this blog identifying me as being in the court room with her in January).

This past Tuesday, three days before this rally shown above, Claudine was found to be “dangerous” in Shawnee County’s Kangaroo Court with Judge David Debenham.  Judge Debenham also should be facing jail time for illegally taking this case from another judge. Here are pictures of “dangerous” Claudine:

Claudine after giving birth to Rikki in 1994 (see her black eyes!)

A very "dangerous Claudine" after ex-husband Hal Richardson beat her with a crowbar in 1996.

"Dangerous Claudine" after ex-husband Hal Richardson raped and beat her in 2000.

Claudine became so "dangerous" ex-husband Hal Richardson had to hire someone to assault her in 2003.

Read about Claudine’s case here at Stop Family Violence.

Lastly, corrupt Guardian ad Litem Jill Dykes, who fought to have Claudine punished for having an image of her own daughter Rikki on the internet, has posted her own pictures of Rikki on her Facebook page (we have the screen shots).  And had her husband call Claudine and threaten her (probably because she is so dangerous).  Ooooooooh.  I see jail in her future.  If not, you can bet she and her corrupt buddies probably bought her way out of it.  Jill Dykes actually lunged and screamed at Claudine at the court house last week when she saw she had the pictures.  What an incredibly poor excuse for a human being this Jill Dykes is!  I think this time they all went too far and will be paying the price for it.

The biggest victim of all is Rikki Dombrowski, who was crying to Claudine this past spring on the phone that she was not being allowed by daddy Hal Richardson to see her mom on a two hour visitation.  This was the last time any excuse was given…they just failed to show up for the court-ordered visitation thereafter.  How heartbreaking…Rikki was ripped apart because she couldn’t see her mother.  Now she is bullied to say what daddy wants.  She knows what daddy is capable of.  Just look at the pictures above.

1 COMMENT

TAGS: CHILD ABUSE

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THERE ARE 1 COMMENTS TO "“DANGEROUS” CLAUDINE DOMBROWSKI ATTENDS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE RALLY: DOES SHE FACE JUDICIAL RETALIATION AGAIN?"

• Anita says:

  OCTOBER 24, 2010 AT 12:39 PM

  This is so over the top ….Why arent mothers and real men accross the country not rallying together to demand the court abusers and legislators are held accountable …..This is not application of the law !!! This is blatant anarchy and massive FRAUD, ABUSE, and WASTE of TAXPAYERS MONEY that funds the corruption. There are no “EFFECTIVE WATCHDOGS ….doing their jobs !!!! For example look at CA and the Failure to facilitate the auditing of the two counties family courts for excessive abuses of powers, as was ordered by the legislature …. and then look at NYS ..google exposecorruptcourts ….then ask when is the DOJ going to get off their taxpayer paid asses and start getting to work ??? Obama maybe you could actually put some of the people back to work instead of throwing our money to the wall street crooks in step with the previous administrations; or do you find it that difficult to find honest legal professionals…instead of destroying the good attorney’s like CA’s Richard Fine, or FL’s Jack Thompson, & Montgomery Sibley who fought for his client Merrie Morris ??

  Damn it this is court ordered child abuse and it’s time all taxpaying citizens speak up and demand the politicians take action now to end this heinous social cancer ….the HHS-ACF now Directed by Kathleen Sebelius is responsible for the Fatherhood programs funding that is fueling this national disgrace … The 2008 General Accounting Office report confirms there is zero accountability for the massive funding being used to orchestrate custody switchings to abusers …the more abusive patterns the more funding goes to the state. All states are abusing the various fatherhood programs …..and no one is paying any attention because the gutless politicians wont take the time to face the facts ….

  Kansas governor Kathleen Sebelius was chosen by Barack Obama in 2009 to become head of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. She has been governor of Kansas since 2003. Sebelius comes from a political family: her father, John Gilligan, was the governor of Ohio from 1971-1975. She grew up in Cincinnati and attended Trinity College in Washington, D.C., where she got a bachelor’s degree in 1970. She married K. Gary Sebelius in 1974 and moved to his native Kansas, where she earned a master’s in public administration from the University of Kansas (1978). After several years as director of the Kansas Trial Lawyers Association, she served in the Kansas House of Representatives from 1987-94. Sebelius was the state’s insurance commissioner from 1995-2003 before her election as governor in 2002. A Democrat, she was reelected to a second four-year term in 2006. She must be confirmed by the U.S. Senate before she takes office as Secretary of HHS.

  How dispicable that one of the worst cases cited within the International Human Rights Complaint is situated in Kansas and now the former Kansas Governor is HHS Sec., following in the same old patterns of anti – constitutional bad government policy !!! Any of the political idiots ever read the US Constitution ??? Ever consider how highly discriminatory the so called responsible Fatherhood programs are ??? Ever stop to consider that ” THE TEST OF A SOCIETY IS WHAT IT DOES FOR IT’S CHILDREN” …..the US Government has the audacity to send our men and boys to fight in Iraq claiming that the Taliban is bad …..so why is this Government spending our tax money on the American Taliban ?????

  BTW …..there’s a much bigger picture than just the FAMILY COURTS CRISIS & court ordered child abuse ….there is CPS corruption gone wild, (just look at NY’S CPS run juvenile centers sex parties scandals) an out of control CHILD SEXUALIZATION INDUSTRY thanks to bad US Government policy all of which is tied to the AFCC & it’s associated org.s …see http://www.nafcj.net and get educated !!!

  Consider printing this and faxing to every one of your state Senate and Congressional Reps ….ask them What Are They Going to Do About this cancer ???? And dont limit consideration to these politicians ….cast a wide net ….it’s elections time and Im damned curious who’se got the guts to actually do something for the people instead of for themselves ….

Marchers Decry Domestic Violence in TOPEKA KANSAS

http://cjonline.com/news/local/2010-10-22/marchers_decry_domestic_violence

Photo 1 of 3

PHIL ANDERSON/THE CAPITAL-JOURNAL

Claudine Dombrowski, 45, of Topeka, who described herself as a victim of domestic violence, shows one of the signs she carried in Friday's "March to Action" in downtown Topeka. The march, which attracted about 100 participants, was held in conjunction with the YWCA's Week Without Violence.

Photo 1 of 3

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BY PHIL ANDERSON

October 22, 2010 - 1:08pm

Participants in Friday afternoon's "March to Action" in downtown Topeka varied in age, race and gender.

Some marchers held signs and chanted slogans, while others walked silently.

Yet all carried the same message: Domestic violence must be confronted, it must be stopped, and survivors must be supported.

"I'm a survivor who lost everything but my life," said Claudine Dombrowski, 45, of Topeka, who said she has been at all 16 marches held each October in conjunction with the YWCA's Week Without Violence. "I come out here every year to bring awareness, because I can't let it keep happening to other people."

About 100 people turned out for the march, which started on the south side of the Statehouse and ended about two blocks south at the YWCA of Topeka, 225 S.W. 12th.

Before the march left the Statehouse, participants were urged by Kansas Attorney General Steve Six to be aware of people they knew who may be victims of domestic violence — and to assist them in seeking help.

Six also applauded volunteers who work with domestic violence victims, and prosecutors who hold perpetrators responsible for their crimes.

Among local law enforcement heads taking part in the walk were Topeka Police Chief Ron Miller, Shawnee County Sheriff Dick Barta and Shawnee County District Attorney Chad Taylor.

Jay Rice, 26, of Meriden, came with several other students from Washburn University, where he is a senior.

Rice said the march was a way of keeping domestic violence in front of a public that might prefer not to deal with the issue.

"It's a good way to put it out in front of everybody," he said. "Even if they don't want to see it, they get a little glimpse of it."

Elizabeth Johnson, 32, of Topeka, another marcher, said she was a domestic violence survivor.

A fiance in college, she said, was the abuser.

"By God's grace," she said, "I was able to get out of that relationship."

Like other marchers on the cloudy Friday afternoon, Johnson said the subject of domestic violence was too important to ignore.

"I think it's something that's just not talked about," she said. "That's why I'm here — I want to raise awareness and stand up for the people who don't have a voice. And a lot of these women just don't have a voice."

The Week Without Violence started Sunday evening with a prayer vigil for victims and survivors at Grace Episcopal Cathedral, a showing of the film "Telling Amy's Story" at the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library and a teen program titled "Relationship Ready!" at Royal Valley High School in Hoyt.

The Week Without Violence concludes Saturday, with two youth-oriented programs.

"Story Time for Kids" will take place from 11 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday at the Toy Store, 5300 S.W. 21st. Children will be treated to the short play "Strength," about a group of animals that learn the difference between being strong and being violent.

The final event will be the "Speak Up, Speak Out Teen Art Night" at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Live Music Institute, 5224 S.W. 17th. Topeka high school and middle school students get the chance to speak about healthy relationships through artwork, the spoken word and music.

Phil Anderson can be reached at (785) 295-1195 or phil.anderson@cjonline.com.

THE WOMAN SUFFRAGE TIMELINE What does the future hold?

THE LIZ LIBRARY   |  SUFFRAGE MAIN PAGE   |  SUFFRAGE TIMELINE   |  WOMEN'S HISTORY

THE WOMAN SUFFRAGE TIMELINE

 

The following timeline gives the highlights of information you can find in the History of Woman Suffrage Book List.  The 1848 Seneca Falls Women's Rights Convention Declaration of Sentimentsalso can be found on this site.

1776 Abigail Adams writes to her husband, John Adams, asking him to "remember the ladies" in the new code of laws. Adams replies the men will fight the "despotism of the petticoat."

1777 Women lose the right to vote in New York.

1780 Women lose the right to vote in Massachusetts.

1784 Women lose the right to vote in New Hampshire.

1787 U.S. Constitutional Convention places voting qualifications in the hands of the states. Women in all states except New Jersey lose the right to vote.

1792 Mary Wollstonecraft publishes Vindication of the Rights of Women in England.

1807 Women lose the right to vote in New Jersey, the last state to revoke the right.

1830s Women Join the Abolitionist Movement.  Formation of the female anti-slavery associations

1836 Angelina Grimke appeals to Southern women to speak out against slavery.

1837 The "Pastoral Letter of the General Association of Massachusetts to the Congregational Churches Under Their Care" is promulgated against women speaking in public against slavery, it is mainly directed against the Grimke sisters.

1840 World Anti-Slavery Convention in London. Lucretia Mott, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and other women barred from participating on account of their sex.

1848 First Women's Rights convention in Seneca Falls, New York. Equal suffrage proposed by Elizabeth Cady Stanton. After debate of so radical a notion, it is adopted. Declaration of Sentiments.

1850 Women's rights convention held in April in Salem, Ohio. First national women's rights convention held in October in Worcester, Massachusetts.

1850-1861 Annual Women's Rights conventions held. The last, in 1861, in Albany, New York lobbies for a liberalized divorce bill. Horace Greely opposes the bill, which loses.

1861-1865 Civil War. Over the objections of Susan B. Anthony, women put aside suffrage activities to help the war effort.

1867 Fourteenth Amendment passes Congress, defining citizens as "male;" this is the first use of the word male in the Constitution. Kansas campaign for black and woman suffrage: both lose. Susan B. Anthony forms Equal Rights Association, working for universal suffrage. Suffrage Movement Divides Over Black v. Woman Suffrage.

1868 Fourteenth amendment ratified. Fifteenth Amendment passes Congress, giving the vote to black men. Women petition to be included but are turned down. Formation of New England Woman Suffrage Association. In New Jersey, 172 women attempt to vote; their ballots are ignored.

1869 Frederick Douglass and others back down from woman suffrage to concentrate on fight for black male suffrage. National Woman Suffrage Association formed in May with Elizabeth Cady Stanton as president. American Woman Suffrage Association formed in November with Henry Ward Beecher as president. In England, John Stuart Mill, economist and husband of suffragist Harriet Taylor, publishes On the Subjugation of Women. Wyoming territory grants first woman suffrage since 1807. Civil Disobedience Is Tried.

1870 Fifteenth Amendment ratified. The Grimke sisters, now quite aged, and 42 other women attempt to vote in Massachusetts, their ballots are cast but ignored. Utah territory grants woman suffrage.

1871 The Anti-Suffrage Society is formed.

1872 Susan B. Anthony and supporters arrested for voting. Anthony's sisters and 11 other women held for $500 bail. Anthony herself is held for $1000 bail.

1873 Denied a trial by jury, Anthony loses her case in June and is fined $100 plus costs. Suffrage demonstration at the Centennial of the Boston Tea Party.

1874 Protest at a commemoration of the Battle of Lexington. In Myner v. Happerstett the U.S. Supreme Court decides that being a citizen does not guarantee suffrage. Women's Christian Temperance Union formed.

1876 On July 4, in Philadelphia, Susan B. Anthony reads The Declaration for the Rights of Women from a podium in front of the Liberty Bell. The crowd cheers. Later, the suffragists meet in the historic First Unitarian Church.

1878 Woman suffrage amendment first introduced in U.S. Congress.

1880 Lucretia Mott, born in 1793, dies.

1882 The House and Senate appoint committees on woman suffrage, both report favorably.

1884 Belva Lockwood runs for president. The U.S. House of Representatives debates woman suffrage.

1886 Women protest being excluded from the dedication ceremonies for the Statue of Liberty. Suffrage amendment reaches the U.S. Senate floor, it is defeated two to one.

1887 Utah women lose the right to vote.

1890 The NWSA and the AWSA merge to form NAWSA. The focus turns to working at the state level. Campaign loses in South Dakota.

1893 Matilda Joslyn Gage publishes Woman, Church and State. After a vigorous campaign led by Carrie Chapman Catt, Colorado men vote for woman suffrage.

1894 Despite 600,000 signatures, a petition for woman suffrage is ignored in New York. Lucy Stone, born in 1818, dies.

1895 Elizabeth Cady Stanton publishes The Woman's Bible. Utah women regain suffrage.

1896 Idaho grants woman suffrage. Susan B. Anthony addresses NAWSA in defense of The Woman's Bible.

1900 Carrie Chapman Catt takes over the reins of the NAWSA.

1902 Elizabeth Cady Stanton, born in 1815, dies.

1904 NAWSA adopts Declaration of Principles

1906 Susan Brownell Anthony, born in 1820, dies.

1907 Harriet Stanton Blatch, Elizabeth's daughter, forms the Equality League of Self Supporting Women which becomes the Women's Political Union in 1910. She introduces the English suffragists' tactics of parades, street speakers, and pickets.

1910 Washington (state) grants woman suffrage.

1911 California grants woman suffrage. In New York City, 3,000 march for suffrage.

1912 Teddy Roosevelt's Progressive Party includes woman suffrage in their platform. Oregon, Arizona, and Kansas grant woman suffrage.

1913 Women's Suffrage parade on the eve of Wilson's inauguration is attacked by a mob. Hundreds of women are injured, no arrests are made. Alaskan Territory grants suffrage. Illinois grants municipal and presidential but not state suffrage to women.

1916 Alice Paul and others break away from the NASWA and form the National Women's Party.

1917 Beginning in January, NWP posts silent "Sentinels of Liberty" at the White House. In June, the arrests begin. Nearly 500 women are arrested, 168 women serve jail time, some are brutalized by their jailers. North Dakota, Indiana, Nebraska, and Michigan grant presidential suffrage; Arkansas grants primary suffrage. New York, South Dakota, and Oklahoma state constitutions grant suffrage.

1918 The jailed suffragists released from prison. Appellate court rules all the arrests were illegal. President Wilson declares support for suffrage. Suffrage Amendment passes U.S. House with exactly a two-thirds vote but loses by two votes in the Senate.

1919 In January, the NWP lights and guards a "Watchfire for Freedom." It is maintained until the Suffrage Amendment passes U.S. Senate on June 4. The battle for ratification by at least 36 states begins.

1920 The Nineteenth Amendment, called the Susan B. Anthony Amendment, is ratified by Tennessee on August 18. It becomes law on August 26, 1920.

Women gained the vote in 1920 after 72 years
of the LARGEST civil rights movement

in the HISTORY of the world.

What does the future hold?

STEVEN HARDIN COFFEY- WARREN COUNTY, JAIL, KENTUCKY ---STOP THE ABUSE OF CHRISTIAN COFFEY--- JUDGE CATHERINE RICE-HOLDERFIELD PROTECTS ABUSERS, allows children to be HURT for HER and her Court Whores Profit $$$$ ka-ching $$$ (BOWLING GREEN, KENTUCKY)

"Stop the Abuse of Christian Coffey" Kimberly Harris mother of Chrisitan Coffey is going to jail tomorrow in Bowling Green ,KY. Why? Because her story hit the net. Christians girlfriend wrote a blog, Elaine started a FB page the word got out, and support began to pour in for Kimberly and Chrisitan. They want to stop us from talking about this case. FREEDOM OF SPEECH!

Corrupt Judge Catherine Rice Holderfild "Stop the Abuse of Christian Coffey" Bowling Green, Kentucky

 

Elaine Barnes Bateman Interview with Christian's Mom and step dad. Bowling Green Kentucky
PETITION For Christian http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/prot...
Corrupt Judge Catherine Rice Holderfield won't help abused child!
http://www.topix.com/forum/city/bowli...
"Stop the Abuse of Christian Coffey"
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Stop-th...
The judge is threatening the mom and supporters with jail and there is an upcoming hearing in Bowling Green, KY. We need to free Christian Coffey from foster care and let him be given a voice to decide where he wants to live. We need to spread the word to share this post for everyone to link to this page to show support.
TAKING A STAND AGAINST CHILD ABUSE

This is who JUDGE CATHERINE RICE HOLDREFIELD IS PROTECTECTING--- NICE HUH? A WIFE BEATER—A CHILD BEATER DEAR OL’ DADDY---DEAREST.

http://205.204.194.190/ois/detail.aspx?id=68329

Warren County Regional Jail Online Inmate System INMATE DETAIL

Name: COFFEY , STEVEN HARDIN Age: 42 Race / Sex: W/M Intake Date: 6/2/04 TCA DESCRIPTION BOND COURT DATE OPER MTR VEH U/INFLU ALC (AGG CIRCUM)1ST $1000 6/29/04 REFUSAL TO SUBMIT TO BREATH/BLOOD/URINE $0 Not Set

 

 

JUST SOME GOOD OL BOYS

Two hours of questioning of a minor child regarding the ownership of this blogs and many more is really showing how desperate this Judge court whore has become.
Rice-Holderfield sent out her goons today to many persons homes, including Miss Kentucky International Elaine Bateman.  What has become of the justice system that they are hellbent on jailing a mother for others taking the stance on this injustice?!

We hope you are proud of yourself by intimidating a child into submission, falsely accusing her of blogging the TRUTH...CPS worker Sheila and Police Officer Blevins. There is a special little place in hell for those who fail to protect and serve....not sure which level...I will have to get back to you on that.  In the meantime I suggest you do some reading....http://whoresofthecourt.com/
In this provocative and well-researched book, Margaret Hagen, Ph.D, reveals how expert psychological testimony is a total fraud, showing how the courts have increasingly embraced not a cutting-edge science but, instead, a discipline that represents a terrifying retreat into fantasy and hearsay; a discipline propelled by powerful propaganda, arrogance, and greed. 
You want to know who runs this blog...get a warrant...think you can haul anyone to Kensucky for an alleged felony class D....TRY ME.....we are waiting...and we still are not shutting up.

What kind of country are we living in where the authorities protect a person who beats a child and non-abusers and victims are threatened and harassed. We cannot let this go on.

BTW

Freedom of speech is protected in the First Amendment of the Bill of Rights and is guaranteed to all Americans.

PRESS RELEASE: AMPP Stands Behind Christian Coffey HIS Mother and All Their Supporters

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - First Amendment Violations in Warren County, Kentucky

Contact: AMPP Chairperson - American Mothers Political Party, Phone: (657) 549-2677

Email: Chairperson@americanmotherspoliticalparty.org

Web Site: http://www.americanmotherspoliticalparty.org

First Amendment Violations in Warren County Kentucky Courtroom

The truth is heavy; therefore few care to carry it.

October 17, 2010 National USA –First Amendment violations and other illegal and unethical maneuvers in Warren County Kentucky.  American Mothers Political Party has announced they will stand up for those in Warren County Kentucky that have been unconstitutionally gagged by the family courts.

Kimberly Harris is preparing to be sent to jail on October 19, 2010 as she is being accused of speaking out about her horrific nightmare with Warren County government officials. The Warren County Kentucky Judge, Catherine Rice-Holderfield, has threatened Mrs.Harris not to speaking publicly regarding her son being placed into the foster care system by the juge. The corruption, illegal maneuvers of this unconstitutional activity came to the attention of AMPP in early October.  Frightened supporters knew that they could not in good conscience submit to the intimidation as Rice-Holderfield threatened to also jail the supporters for speaking out.

Warren County officials have become hostile due to the highly publicized blogging and/or expressing the outrage about this severe case of judicial abuse and impropriety, basic fundamental rights are in peril.  Many supporters have been warned that Bowling Green PD and DHS workers are questioning and harassing individuals regarding blog posts made, including the 14 year old girlfriend of the child abuse victim.

The 15 year old son of Mrs. Harris was brutally beaten by his father and was subsequently placed in foster care by Rice-Holderfield.  The child victim asked that his story be made public before he was taken into foster care.  This young man has stated that he wants to be home in the safe loving arms of his mother, Kimberly, and that very wish is disappearing by the same officials sworn to protect and serve their community and its most vulnerable citizens.

Please visit the following page and links for the incredible in-justice being done and the ILLEGAL actions of the Court and Child Welfare Services in Kentucky.

Please visit the following links for the incredible in-justice being done and the ILLEGAL actions of the Court and Child Welfare Services in Kentucky.

Face Book Page: “Stop The Abuse of Christian Coffey”

VIDEO HERE: Corrupt Judge Catherine Rice Holderfild  "Stop the Abuse of Christian Coffey" Bowling Green,

Kentucky Judge Rice-Holderfield Court Whore Exposing the dirty little secrets of family court.

JUST SOME GOOD OL BOYS

Two hours of questioning of a minor child regarding the ownership of this blogs and many more is really showing how desperate this Judge court whore has become.

Rice-Holderfield sent out her goons today to many persons homes, including Miss Kentucky International Elaine Bateman.  What has become of the justice system that they are hell bent on jailing a mother for others taking the stance on this injustice?!

We hope you are proud of yourself by intimidating a child into submission, falsely accusing her of blogging the TRUTH...CPS worker Sheila and Police Officer Blevins. There is a special little place in hell for those who fail to protect and serve....not sure which level...I will have to get back to you on that.  In the meantime I suggest you do some reading....  http://whoresofthecourt.com

In this provocative and well-researched book, Margaret Hagen, Ph.D, reveals how expert psychological testimony is a total fraud, showing how the courts have increasingly embraced not a cutting-edge science but, instead, a discipline that represents a terrifying retreat into fantasy and hearsay; a discipline propelled by powerful propaganda, arrogance, and greed.

What kind of country are we living in where the authorities protect a person who beats a child and non-abusers and victims are threatened and harassed. We cannot let this go on.

Freedom of speech is protected in the First Amendment of the Bill of Rights and is guaranteed to all Americans.

Rest of article here: http://judgecatherinericeholderfield.blogspot.com/2010/10/just-some-good-ol-boys.html

CHAMBER OF SECRETS

Just when you think you have left an abusive relationship enter the family court judge. In Kentucky there is one such judge (court whore) that loves to hand out punishment to all but especially mothers and children.

As I researched the Honorable Judge Catherine Rice-Holderfield it gave me more insight to how this court whore ticks and how she got into the position she was appointed not voted into.

According to http://kyjudges2006.wikispaces.com/file/view/bgdailynews.oct31.pdf is where I found the interesting comments that Rice-Holderfield made in regards to her experience with family court matters.

Rice-Holderfield states, My parents divorced when I was a teenager. Being a child of divorce gives me a special perspective on how deeply this family tragedy affects children. I also could see how my parents struggled with custody, division of their property and debts, and with providing financial support. When my children were very young, their father and I divorced, very amicably, and I faced balancing management of my sole law practice with being a single parent, while always making sure my children were the focus of my attention. These are priorities I also keep now, and which I stress to persons in family court

First of all, just because your parents divorced and you divorced amicably does NOT mean you have all knowing experience in family court. Her special perspective is askew to the point that hypocrisy doesn't even apply to her method of madness. Especially now when Kimberly Harris is facing judicial retaliation on October 19th for absolutely nothing. In what can only be described as judicial abuse and retaliation Rice-Holderfield has threatened jail for Kimberly Harris and her supporters for speaking about her judicial abuse online.

So to make this all clear, Rice-Holderfield is upset because American citizens have exposed her dirty little secrets? With the information I have gleaned from the www there is much more to expose about this Kentucky court whore.

First thing I did was check with the Constitution and it still says:

Amendment 1 - Freedom of Religion, Press, Expression. Ratified 12/16/1791

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

Redress

redress v. 1. To set right, remedy or rectify. 2. To make amends for. n. 1. Satisfaction for wrong done; reparation. 2. Correction. [redresser.]

This is a redress and you should duly note it.

The absurdity and contradictions continue at http://kyjudges2006.wikispaces.com/file/view/bgdailynews.oct31.pdf They pose the question to Rice-Holderfield,

What issues, if any, are important to improve family court?

I believe I’m serving the community very well in family court. I treat every participant equally, fairly, with dignity and respect. I’m always striving toward greater efficiency in managing my large caseload, and to save money and time for the people in my court. I put the focus on the children whose entire lives will be affected by the decisions we make and the agreements we reach in family court. I try to put myself in the shoes of every person that comes into my courtroom, while applying the law to the facts presented to me.

Thankfully after I read this quote I didnt spew too hard onto my keyboard. After we heard about Kimberly Harris and her son we knew that this was insanity, we just didn't anticipate the extent of it. Rice-Holderfield by her own admission is a product of divorce, she has been through divorce, she is a mother...but yet she is hellbent on jailing a mother who did nothing more than any mother would do to protect their child from abuse, it is blatantly apparent Rice-Holderfield doesn't grasp that concept.

Sadly it doesn't end there..the rest of the article here: http://judgecatherinericeholderfield.blogspot.com/2010/10/chamber-of-secrets.html

Family Court -- Unconstitutional Judicial Gag Orders

Over the past decade, family court judges routinely have uttered broader and broader gag orders, forbidding parents in custody battles from talking or writing about their cases. The pretext for these orders is that they are needed for the protection of the child.  Nevertheless, it's suspected that more often they are prompted by embarrassed officials who dislike scrutiny and criticism by internet bloggers in the wake of burgeoning out-of-control shoot-from-the-hip "therapeutic jurisprudence" in the family courts. The stated child protection rationale is specious because defamation, obscenity, violations of privacy, harassment, and other unprotected speech appropriately are addressed by the law after the fact when actual or potentially harmful speech can be specifically identified.

These orders are illegal under the First Amendment as violations of the constitutional prohibition against prior restraint. Now one mother, Faith Torres, has contacted the American Civil Liberties Union because of a gag order entered in her case by Judge Debra DeSegna in Providence, Rhode Island, July 29, at the request of the Rhode Island Department of Children, Youth and Families. Steven Brown, executive director of the ACLU's Rhode Island affiliate, called the order a "blatant violation of the First Amendment." Let's see some federal lawsuits. http://newsblog.projo.com/2010/08/judge-bars-ri-mother-from-talk.html

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Corruption and Cover ups Exposed in Garvin County, Oklahoma

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Many speak for justice, but few have the courage to face down the devil in its name.

October 15, 2010 National USA……With the arrival in Oklahoma of nationally-known author, media personality and activist, Susan Murphy Milano, there begins the process of shedding more light on some of Oklahoma's darkest secrets.  For years, families have struggled in this State with a "good ole boy" system that delivered not justice, but cold justice.

The families affected by this system of justice in Garvin County, Oklahoma have called on Murphy Milano to help them bring national attention to the alleged corruption surrounding several cases of possible murder that have been covered up or improperly investigated by those sworn into positions of authority.

The climate is quite hostile and the safety of those speaking out has been threatened.

According to Attorney Jaye Mendros, “When a murder is covered up, or inadequately investigated, and an erroneous cause or manner of death determination is made by a good ole' boy who is NOT a physician, the Medical Examiner’s Office should NOT turn a blind eye and rubber stamp that determination.”

With the help of Oklahoma City attorney, Jaye Mendros, and Justice for the Dead, along with grass roots organization, The Eleventh Commandment, and the families of Chanda Turner, Sheila Deviney, Tom Horton, and others, they hope to illuminate the overwhelming evidence and bring justice to those who have gone without it for too long.

This corruption begs for national attention from major news networks. In an upcoming election is a Sheriff who was present at each of these death scenes.

Does Garvin County, Oklahoma want more of the same?

For more information:

http://murphymilanojournal.com

http://theeleventhcommadment.org

http://justiceforthedead.com

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JOINT CHILD CUSTODY IS NOT ALWAYS THE BEST COURSE

Rights For Mothers

FILED IN: BAD DADS, BEST INTEREST OF THE CHILD, CHILD CUSTODY, CHILD CUSTODY BATTLE, CHILD CUSTODY ISSUES, CHILD SUPPORT, CHILDREN AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, CHILDREN'S RIGHTS, DOMESTIC ABUSE, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, FAMILICIDE, FATHERS WHO MURDER THEIR CHILDREN, MURDERED CHILDREN,NONCUSTODIAL MOTHERS, CHILD CUSTODY FOR ABUSERS

There have been many cases of fathers injuring or killing their children lately, usually with the underlying case being traced back to custody or child support issues.  There are so many that I rarely cover them anymore.  There are other bloggers that do a good job of this, such as Dastardly Dads (I don’t know how she keeps up with all the incidents).  This is from the Houston Chronicle about one of those cases, and it ties it all together pretty well (the main cause behind a lot of these sad cases).  It is too bad judges and court-appointed personnel don’t understand this.

Children often the victims of cycle of domestic abuse

Granting joint custody not always the best course

By LAKSHMY PARAMESWARAN
DAYA INC.

Oct. 12, 2010, 8:25PM

The devastating effect of domestic violence on children shook us on Sept. 19, the day convicted batterer Mohammad Goher shot and killed his three children while they slept in his Houston home. A tortured victim of Goher for 15 years, Goher’s wife had left and filed for divorce. Despite having generous unsupervised custody privileges, Goher feared losing custody of his children. He took matters into his own hands.

Power and control are at the core of the cycle of violence, and a child is a convenient pawn that the abuser often uses to control his spouse, even an estranged spouse. By killing his children, Goher made the final decision about their future and showed his wife he was still in control. In a batterer, the need to feel powerful is this overwhelming. In his desperate attempt to gain control, he actually loses control.

It is unfortunate that the presumption of our family law — joint custody to ensure that a child has two parents — often fails to exclude violent fathers like Goher from obtaining custody. By tormenting the mothers and exposing their children to violence, these fathers have demonstrated their inability to parent. Yet our family courts continue to trust them with children. It is time for our society to reconsider its stance on joint custody. The deaths of the Goher children should not be in vain.

Reports on the tragedy state that the lawyers involved in the Goher case raised no concern over the children’s safety. They saw Goher as a loving father because he had not specifically threatened or hurt the children and when asked if they wanted to visit their father, the children said yes. Their reasoning demonstrates a severe dearth of knowledge about family violence.

In my work with battered women since 1995, I have heard puffy-eyed mothers describe their abusive husbands in the same vein as the lawyers: “He is a great father” or “He has not laid a hand on his kids.” As long as the children are not directly hurt, the women find no reason to leave. Like the family law professionals, they too believe that their children need both parents. “I will leave after my child turns 18″ is a common statement I hear. To these mothers, I stress three simple facts: (1) What is detrimental to the mother cannot be good for her young children. (2) It is only a matter of time before the children are hurt. (3) By diminishing the perpetrator’s violent acts and highlighting his fatherly qualities, they fuel the cycle of violence.

Knowing the facts helps women weigh their options. Deciding a course of action takes time. As for leaving, it is an ordeal fraught with fear, doubt, guilt and many economic and social impediments. For mothers like Mrs. Goher who somehow muster the courage to leave, the prospect of shared custody with the batterer may be the ultimate blow. Almost every divorced mother I counseled has expressed anger and dismay at our legal system that allows a callous wife-beater free access to their child, weekends and more. Yet, this is the reality they must face.

The children’s inclination to please the perpetrating parent however possible only reinforces this reality. Caught in the abuse cycle, children suffer due to divided loyalties. Some children feel compelled to “protect” their mothers by defying the abusive parent; some mediate; and some participate in the violence just to survive. Regardless, children are torn. No wonder, the Goher children said yes to visiting their father.

A parent prone to violence is indeed a misfortune for any child, but having to pay for it with his life is the most horrible form of injustice. Those entrusted with making crucial decisions on behalf of our children – lawyers, judges, the police, social and mental health service providers and parents — must grasp the perpetuating nature of the cycle of violence by undergoing frequent family violence training provided by local women’s centers.

Additionally, the lawyers and judges in our family courts should carefully consider the complex dynamics of family violence and fight to deny normal custody privileges to hardened established batterers like Goher. Joint custody should not in any way endanger our children.

Parameswaran is a licensed counselor specializing in family violence and sexual assault issues. She is a founder and board member of Daya Inc., an organization serving south Asian survivors of domestic violence. For information, visit:www.dayahouston.org.