While reform in the arena of custody litigation is clearly a long term project, in the short term battered mothers face disbelieving judges, expensive legal fees, and unending litigation as they struggle to retain custody of their children. Family Court differs from other courts that are more familiar to advocates. Not only does it operate on different assumptions, it’s structured differently as well.  These and other differences create challenges for advocates and the battered mothers they serve.  Besides providing emotional support, advocates can help women analyze and frame their case information, prepare for custody assessments, and articulate how abusive behavior is linked to the batterer’s parenting and co-parenting. Given that 40-70% of litigants in family court are appearing without legal representation, it’s more important than ever that advocates are prepared to educate women about family court.

Created by BWJP and the Family Violence Division of NCJFCJ, Advocating for Battered Mothers in Custody Disputes: Linking Abuse to Parenting, is a national curriculum designed to help advocates recognize and address barriers inherent in custody litigation. As a result of this training, advocates will be better able to:

• Compare & contrast how court systems think about and act upon domestic violence cases
• Describe how cases are processed in family court
• Explain how reliance on non-court professionals can threaten procedural fairness and due process
• Recognize potential problems for battered mothers in custody disputes
• Apply a framework for informed decision-making
• Identify post-separation abuse tactics
• Link domestic violence to parenting
• Connect domestic violence to the best interests of the child
• Prepare battered mothers for family court events and processes

WE’D LIKE YOUR HELP IN COMPLETING THIS CURRICULUM!

This two-day training will be a pilot-test of the exercises and tools that have been developed. For this reason, the session is being offered free to local advocates in return for your feedback on the curriculum, which we’ll solicit throughout the training.  In addition, we’ll provide you with a tasty lunch!

Thanks in advance for your assistance in finalizing the curriculum–your input will be invaluable.