Resources
Did you know that 5 children die daily from child abuse in which 80% of cases their parent was the perpetrator?
2.9 million child abuse cases are reported each year, and many more abuse cases go unreported.
58,000 children annually are removed from a protective parent and given to the abusive parent. This statistic is from 2009. It is suspected that these numbers have doubled or tripled based on the number of cases and appeals being reported by experts.
The information below will help you navigate the ins and outs of the family court process. We’ve also included information on domestic violence and coercive control from experts in the field who understand the tactics used against an abuser’s target.
Keep coming back as we will be updating as we find new research and information. If you have resources for navigating the courts or understanding Domestic Violence by Proxy, Coercive Control, Legal Abuse Syndrome or Post Separation Abuse, please submit them for consideration here:
Writing a Motion, Preparing for Court and Presenting in Court
by Laura Stevens, and other WFJ Advocates First step is to look at the family court website in your county’s jurisdiction for as much information as you can obtain. There is usually lots of important information in written format and videos about the process and expectations regarding family court that is specific to your jurisdiction. …
What to do when your child has been abused (or if you suspect abuse)
By Laura Stevens, Wings for Justice Advocate If your child comes to you with the abuse, always believe them and if your child has not admitted to abuse but you suspect abuse then do all the things one would do if they knew of the abuse. Things you can say and should not say to …
Understanding the Family Court System
By Laura Stevens, Wings for Justice Advocate When it comes to attorneys in family court, these are ways that attorneys play the game in the system to win cases and favor, so they make the most money. What was just mentioned about attorneys also applies to Guardians Ad Litem (GALs). Although not all GALs are …
Types of Child Abuse By Laura Stevens, Wing for Justice Advocate
There are 4 types of child abuse: Physical abuse: Sexual abuse: Neglect: Emotional and Psychological Abuse:
The Family Court System: Prepare your Mindset
By Laura Stevens, Wings for Justice Advocate The chances are that if you are reading this then you are already mired within the court system and now are at the mercy of not only the judge, but the entire system (family court, police, child services). A lot of us enter the system with the belief, …
The Constitutional Right To Be A Parent
Declaration of My Right to Parent: Family Forward Foundation: https://img1.wsimg.com/blobby/go/7fdc18cd-f694-49f4-835c-c2f0acc847da/downloads/1bsqo8u8p_293342.pdf?ver=1552950223368
The Code of Conduct for U.S. Judges
https://www.uscourts.gov/judges-judgeships/code-conduct-united-states-judges d
Signs and Symptoms of Child Abuse By Laura Stevens, Wings for Justice Advocate
Signs of child abuse can be obvious but they can also be subtle. Here are some common signs of abuse. These signs can show as changes in behavior once abuse starts but they can also seem to be on-going behavior if the abuse has been occurring since a very young age.
National Child Abuse Statistics (2015)
All national abuse statistics cited from U.S. Administration for Children and Families, Child Maltreatment 2014. https://www.acf.hhs.gov/cb/resource/child-maltreatment-2014
Family First Prevention Services Act, 2018
The Family First Prevention Services Act was signed into law as part of the Bipartisan Budget Act on February 9, 2018. This act reforms the federal child welfare financing streams, Title IV-E and Title IV-B of the Social Security Act, to provide services to families who are at risk of entering the child welfare system. …
Domestic Violence Restraining Order (DVRO)
A Domestic Violence Restraining Order, or in some states it is just called a restraining order (RO), is a legal order issued by a state court which requires one person to stop harming another.In Michigan, restraining orders are known as personal protection orders (PPO’s). The website, www.WomensLaw.org contains information on how to file RO’s in …
Building Your Case to Protect Your Child
1. Documentation By Laura Stevens, WFJ Advocate When we talk about documenting child abuse, we are not just talking about taking pictures of physical evidence or the witnessing of an act of abuse. Of course those things need to be documented but documenting child abuse is more about documenting the effects of abuse rather …