Demand the Court System to Stop Abuse of Children and Mothers of Domestic Violence
- by: Jacqueline Hamilton
- recipient: Maryland Legislators, child protection agencies, community family services organizations, friends, family and advocates
Child Sexual Abuse is a problem too many of us ignore. We must demand that the courts and social services agencies take a coordinated and comprehensive approach to keeping children and women safe from abusers and batters. Child Protective and Domestic Violence Agencies proclaim and in some cases mandate that any suspensions of child abuse or domestic violence is reported to agencies designed to intervene and protect children and other victims of abuse. While protection of victims may the documented intent, it is not the response of these protective agencies. Instead they respond in a manner that serves to further victimize and traumatize children who disclose sexual abuse by an abusive parent, and discredits the mother for reporting offences in an effort to protect her children and/or self. The court system has adopted a "one size fits all" approach to adjudicating these cases and fail to implement appropriate investigation/litigation needed to examine the potential for further abuses by perpetrators of abuse. Double standards pervade the family courts. In particular, male violence is routinely minimized and female response to it seen as pathological. Creative tactics are necessary in order for custodial embattled mothers to survive and more publicity of the courts undermining tactics of mothers is urgently needed. Please sign this petition to eliminate all risk for child sexual abuse, proper investigation of reported abuse, and the appropriate prosecution of offenders to the fullest extent of the law.
Child Sexual Abuse is a problem too many of us ignore. We must demand that the courts and social services agencies take a coordinated and comprehensive approach to keeping children and women safe from abusers and batters. Child Protective and Domestic Violence Agencies proclaim and in some cases mandate that any suspensions of child abuse or domestic violence is reported to agencies designed to intervene and protect children and other victims of abuse. While protection of victims may the documented intent, it is not the response of these protective agencies. Instead they respond in a manner that serves to further victimize and traumatize children who disclose sexual abuse by an abusive parent, and discredits the mother for reporting offences in an effort to protect her children and/or self. The court system has adopted a "one size fits all" approach to adjudicating these cases and fail to implement appropriate investigation/litigation needed to examine the potential for further abuses by perpetrators of abuse. Double standards pervade the family courts. In particular, male violence is routinely minimized and female response to it seen as pathological. Creative tactics are necessary in order for custodial embattled mothers to survive and more publicity of the courts undermining tactics of mothers is urgently needed. Please sign this petition to eliminate all risk for child sexual abuse, proper investigation of reported abuse, and the appropriate prosecution of offenders to the fullest extent of the law.
