Tanner De Witt’s Post

As David’s argument posits, the family court ecosystem is not working in the child’s best interest. In my view, the adversarial premise of the family court is patriarchal and outdated. Hierarchical power structures harm. The harms perpetrated against victims of domestic violence in the FCFCOA are too often deadly. We need all professionals agreeing this adversarial, coercively controlling power structure is untenable and a new structure built on Safe & Together principles, equality, respect and most of all safety is needed. More often than not what’s happening is judges are REFUSING to allow evidence of domestic violence and do not read the extensive, expensive paperwork and evidence victims provide. There are much better and safer ways forward that will not bring a windfall to lawyers and experts witnesses at the expense of victims of DFSV and the taxpayer. The days of profit before people are over. Those exploiting our most vulnerable are being called out post #MeToo A single judge hearing a matter and having absolute power is a patriarchal power structure that we as a society have grown beyond. When we know better we do better. The term family law is an oxymoron and has coercive control at its very core. It’s time to grow beyond control, power and patriarchy. It serves only the few bullying, entitled who control it. Zero tolerance of all forms of bullying and coercive control is the way forward. Judith Herman sets out a vision and strategy for a restorative justice system in her work “Truth and Repair”. We need more vision, compassion and unity and less orders and deprivation of liberty. If you would also like to work together towards this change please connect and be a part of the new. 🙏 #Unity #Compassion #Equality #Safety #SharedPower

👨⚖️ "If only we could train judges in domestic abuse dynamics, everything would change." But is it that simple? Working with judges over the years, I've learned a lot. I remember one judge who told me that his job "was to read pieces of paper and make decisions." This painted a very different picture than the courtroom dramas on TV. Another judge shared his conclusion, after we spoke for a short time about the Safe & Together Model, that he wasn't receiving enough information to make the best decisions for children. Based on that realization, he brought me in to provide training to his child protection workers, and lawyers for children, parents, and the agency. During the training, he told them to expect him to ask more questions about the patterns of abuse. Other judges have asked me how to better interrogate evidence in domestic abuse cases. From these conversations and other interactions with legal professionals, here are a few of my takeaways: -Judges can't create evidence or conduct their own assessments -Most of what judges do is read documents and make decisions -Judges rely on evidence from report writers, psychologists, child protection workers, and others to make their decisions -The quality and nature of evidence, assessments, and reports presented is crucial The Safe & Together Model was designed to improve the quality of documentation and evidence through enhanced assessment and documentation. The Model's perpetrator pattern-based approach helps professionals develop evidence that highlights how perpetrators harm children, interfere with other parents' parenting, and survivors' protective capacities. Key takeaway: While judicial training, statutes, and case law matter, transforming court outcomes in domestic abuse cases requires improving the entire ecosystem - especially the quality of expert reports and assessments. Professionals supporting the court: How can we enhance the quality of evidence presented in domestic abuse cases? Share your insights below. #FamilyCourt #DomesticAbuse #ExpertReports #SafeAndTogether #ChildSafety

You know, in all the court dates I have ever had, how much I’ve been able to speak directly in court, addressing any Judge, has been very minimal. I think I got to say, “Yes, your Honor.” When asked if I understood the charges against me on the first court dates. And then “Guilty.”, as tears streamed down my face for a multitude of reasons, months later. I can 100% guarantee that any judges for any of my cases did not get ANY sense of the dynamics of my situation. I wonder how things would be different if I didn’t leave the conversation to be had behind the scenes between lawyers who - while I fully appreciate every public defender(!!!) - don’t know me at all or get to speak to me enough to ever understand the situation, and overzealous prosecutors keen on getting a guilty verdict for their conviction rates, who spoke with *him* much more than my public defenders got to speak to me. (Funding and caseloads!) I wonder, if judges got to hear the stories about how the criminal justice system is broken impacting domestic violence victims, particularly when mandatory DV arrests are the law with a super low bar for probable cause, if things would be different. How many DV cases would be thrown out because they see that the real victim is the one being prosecuted as the perpetrator? Maybe victims wouldn’t be forced to choose between pleading guilty to something they didn’t do, or did in reactive abuse, or even self-defense, for a lesser sentence and gambling with their lives and children’s lives at trial when their abusive partner could continue the abuse from the witness stand, (plus the fact that a jury’s option of nullifying can’t be openly disclosed to them!) landing them a potential max sentence. Would letting victims speak make a difference? Would these judges feel their duty is more than just to read paperwork and make decisions? Would it be seen more in the light of someone’s life path, a victim’s life path, and even their children’s, is in their hands and they can limit, or even stop the harm? Or would things still be how they are? I have to believe that they would be different, but we will never know when we’re not “allowed” to speak, and judges don’t get the full picture.

Read my latest post on understanding the intricacies of mandatory reporting laws concerning child abuse.

Examining Parental Alienation in Child Custody Cases: A Survey of Mental Health and Legal Professionals This citation indicates that the respondents identified mothers as the alienating parent in 66% of the cases surveyed. The mention of the gender perpetrator for PA/PAS is found in the research paper "Examining Parental Alienation in Child Custody Cases: A Survey of Mental Health and Legal Professionals" on page 135. Specifically, the text states: "Regarding the gender of the alienating parent, respondents most frequently reported mothers in this role (mean = 66%)" . https://lnkd.in/eh52M5DD

Thank you for sharing about Melanie Brown's petition, which calls for judges to receive education on domestic abuse in family courts. It's an incredibly important initiative that can greatly impact the way cases of domestic abuse are handled and ensure better protection for survivors and children involved. Your efforts in raising awareness through talks to the judiciary and statutory agencies in Mid and West Wales are commendable. Highlighting the insidious nature of coercive control and its impact, especially in post-separation situations, is crucial. It's disheartening to hear that despite these efforts, survivors still report encountering the same patterns of behaviour from the judiciary. The idea of having an independent domestic abuse specialist overseeing judges' work is a powerful one. Such oversight can ensure adherence to legislation, proper recognition of coercive control, and protection of victims and children. It's essential that judges are held accountable for their decisions and actions, especially when it comes to issues as critical as domestic abuse. Your point about the apparent disregard for current laws and recommendations, such as PD12J and The Harm Panel Report, is troubling. It raises questions about the system's commitment to addressing domestic abuse effectively. Ignoring established laws and international conventions like the ECHR and UNCRC only perpetuates harm and injustice. Advocating for education and accountability within the judiciary is a vital step towards meaningful reform. By addressing these issues, we can work towards a system that truly prioritises the safety and well-being of survivors and their families. Thank you for your advocacy and for sharing your own story—it adds a powerful personal dimension to this important conversation. #MTICBIAI #MyTraumaIsChronicButIAmIconic #DomesticAbuseAwareness #FamilyCourtReform #JudicialEducation #CoerciveControl #ProtectSurvivors #ChildProtection #AccountabilityInLaw #EndAbuseNow #LegalReformNeeded #SurvivorsSpeakOut #HarmPanelReport #ECHRViolation #UNCRCProtection #JudicialOversight #SpeakUpSurvivors

What are the custody rights of an illegitimate child’s father? The custody rights of an illegitimate child's father are a nuanced matter, often contingent upon specific circumstances. While the mother typically holds parental authority and custody rights as per Article 176 of the Family Code, the father may seek custody under certain conditions. In situations where the mother is unable to provide a safe and nurturing environment for the child, the father may petition the court for custody. This could occur if the mother fails to exercise parental care, struggles with drug addiction, engages in maltreatment or neglect, displays immoral behavior, suffers from mental illness, or faces unemployment or abandonment issues. However, even if the mother is abroad and unable to care for the child, the court may still uphold her custodial rights rather than granting them to the father outright. For a deeper dive into this complex topic, check out our latest blog post: https://lnkd.in/drMDFWu2 #CustodyRights #ParentalAuthority #FamilyLaw #Fatherhood #LegalInsights

It takes great courage for a Head to say ‘we know there are children experiencing CSA in our school’. Today we worked with that school. We hope that our lived experience training encourages them to keep on doing everything they can, when faced with barriers outside of their control. The biggest barrier these staff face is when they report a child they know is at risk. ‘We need a verbal disclosure’ is the common response. We know there are many reasons why a child might never verbally disclose CSA. They are incredible staff. They are fighting for their children but child protection shouldn’t be a fight. Moral fatigue and burnout is a serious issue for staff on the frontline. When will things change for the better? When will everyone step up to protect children? Why, when schools do the right thing, do things not improve for the child? A lack of verbal evidence does not mean the abuse isn’t happening. As a child, I had no language to put to my experience of sexual abuse. To rape. The current system fails children, even when a school is doing its absolute best. #TheFlyingChildProject #CSA #ChildSexualAbuse #ActOnIICSA #TheFlyingChild #headteachers #education #childrensservices #safeguarding #safeguardingchildren #safeguardingtraining

Thank you for posting #sophieolsonTheflyingchildproject. As a child who experienced CSA, no one, and I mean no one, had a clue what was happening to me. I, for want of a better phrase, was an excellent actress, but this was a survival technique that I'd mastered very well. I thought I could hide it well, and indeed I tried my best, as I could never verbally disclose it for so many reasons. So silence was actually my voice, my disclosure, and we must be switched onto this. We should never rely on, or expect disclosure, but we must still act! Thousands of professionals do a great job, but we can always be more informed, learn more, and from this learning, do more. I now recognise that I did display signs, and that doesnt have to be, nor is it always sexualised language and/or behaviour. It can be that sometimes, but its also so much more. Back then, it was seemingly less, or never recognised, not as it is today. We talk about it more, and it's right that we do, including delivering training as I do, because we know its still happening, and we want it to stop! We have a common goal and a professional and moral compass, to safeguard and protect, (and so much more included) children and young people against this horrific heinous crime that is child sexual abuse, and sexual exploitation. I reflect on my childhood and think, I wonder what could and would have happened for me, if someone had perhaps wondered too, was suspicious, recognised signs without verbal disclosure, asked me if I was ok, asked me if anything was wrong, asked me if there was anything I'd like to talk about etc, having that courageous conversation and professional curiosity. However, here we are, and I'm doing ok, and I love the work I do. I send so much love and respect to anyone who has experienced this, or knows of someone who has, and I extend this to every professional who has some involvement in some capacity. Support is out there, and I'm available to support any training requirements too. Take care. ❤️ #childprotection #safeguardingchildren #safeguardingtraining #workingtogether #childadvocacy #changelives #traininganddevelopment #ActOnICSA #goverment

A Call to Action: Empowering Parents to Combat Youth Substance Abuse As we conclude our series on the connection between substance abuse and criminal activity in young people, today’s focus is on empowering parents and guardians to take proactive measures. The role of parental involvement in preventing substance abuse cannot be overstressed. Active engagement in your child’s life is key to steering them away from substance use and its associated legal troubles. At Second Chance Interventions and McGuigan Legal, we believe that prevention is always better than cure. We encourage parents to open honest dialogues about the dangers of alcohol and drugs, set clear expectations, and foster an environment of trust and support. Recognizing early warning signs of substance use and taking swift action can make a significant difference. We also understand that despite best efforts, some families may find themselves facing challenges. That’s where Second Chance Interventions McGuigan Legal step in. We are here to support not only in legal defense but also in navigating the recovery process. Our firm collaborates with treatment centers and educational programs to ensure that young people receive the help they need to overcome substance use disorders. Let’s work together to create safer, healthier futures for our children. If you or someone you know is struggling with these issues, reach out to McGuigan Legal for expert guidance and dedicated support. #ParentalInvolvement #YouthPrevention #SubstanceAbuse #LegalGuidance #FamilySupport #McGuiganLegal #SecondChanceInterventions