Domestic Violence/Child Abuse Commission
Final Report
Video 
Co-Chairs |
The Honorable Robert M. Evans
Circuit Judge
Ninth Judicial Circuit
|
Mr. Dick Batchelor
President
Dick J. Batchelor Management
Group |
Commission Members Contact Information
Press Releases
Workgroup Structure
I Court Process Workgroup
Chair: Honorable Alice Blackwell White
Staff Support : Helene Welch, Deputy Court Administrator, Court Administration
Mission Statement
To review and structure the court process to improve the responsiveness and outcomes to families experiencing domestic violence and child abuse and to ensure that the principles of safety, well-being and stability for these families are promoted throughout all court processes, to include the criminal, juvenile and civil courts.
Goals
- Review of training protocols for agency staff and court-related employees in the dynamics of domestic violence and the impact on adults and children, to include effective interventions and safety planning.
- Review of system collaboration with all entities dealing with families of domestic violence and child abuse throughout all court-related hearings, both juvenile and criminal, to include a review of due process issues
- Review of information available to the court in determining orders for safe visitation and/or exchange locations for victims and children of domestic violence (DCF, LEO, evidence gathering)
- Review of the court's authority to appoint separate attorneys for each parent in dependency cases involving domestic violence
- Review of the court's authority to set standards for competent and well-trained lawyers who deal with victims of domestic violence and child abuse
- Consider the utilization of a domestic violence advocate for a battered mother in all dependency and criminal cases involving allegations of domestic violence
- Review the use of trained mediators in the dynamics of domestic and family violence when mediation is ordered
- Review prosecution rate of domestic violence criminals
- Review of community control policies and protocols for domestic violence perpetrators
- Review making a violation of a court order of protection against domestic violence a separate criminal offense
- Review the feasibility of authorizing arraigning court to issue a criminal protection order as a condition of bail or other pre-trial release for domestic violence perpetrators
- Review enhanced penalties for domestic violence offenses committed within 72 hours of release after arraignment or issuance of an order of protection
- Review restrictions on the release of domestic violence arrestees before court appearance
- Review of legislative statutes pertaining to court processing of domestic violence and child abuse cases
- Review the feasibility of a family court model
- Review the process for domestic violence victims to receive legal representation
- Review the process of pro se litigants with regard to filling out paperwork
- Review the guidelines for issuing domestic violence injunctions, to include the scope and authority to enforce them
- Review of security in the domestic violence courts
- Review creation of a case management system for domestic violence cases
- Review the feasibility of establishing a local child abuse death review team
- Review the breadth and scope (mandatory vs. discretionary) of authority to arrest domestic violence, stalking or other court- ordered offenders
- Review the use of interpreters/translation services in the courts for domestic violence and child abuse cases
II System Processing Workgroup
Chair: Dean J. Richard Hurt
Staff Support : Sally Wolfe, Mental Health Integrated Manager, Office of the Orange County Clerk of Courts
Mission
Review and analysis of current system processing of cases dealing with domestic violence and child abuse; formulating recommendations for management of such cases using best practices, to include issues such as training of court personnel in the dynamics of domestic violence and child abuse, legal interventions to stop the cycle of violence, and the expansion and/or reallocation of resources to create an effective and accessible system for victims.
Goals
- Review the standards for cases involving child abuse where domestic violence is found, to include the removal of children where perpetrators have prior allegations
- Review the timely and accurate access to criminal histories in order to ascertain child safety
- Review the process regarding case specific evaluations and professional assessments and how the recommendations are incorporated into the case plan
- Review procedures and policies regarding interagency communication plans for child abuse and domestic violence cases, to include the review of risk and lethality assessments for both adults and children
- Review the establishment of a networking committee comprised of key stakeholders involved in domestic violence/child abuse cases, which would meet regularly to discuss system issues
- Review of enforcement of injunctions of protection filed by domestic violence victims
- Review legislative statutes affecting system processing (e.g. stalking laws)
- Review the protocols for sharing of information across the system, to include the Courts, State Attorney, Public Defender, Child Protection Team and the Department of Children and Families
III Public Awareness/Community Education Workgroup
Chair: Ms. Susan Denton-Harris
Staff Support: Karen Levey, Director of Communications and Public Affairs, Court Administration and Susan Clary, Communications Specialist, Court Administration
Mission
Development of an education/community awareness campaign aimed at governmental bodies, legislature, foundations, businesses and the public regarding the economic, legal, emotional and social support needed for victims of domestic violence and child abuse, focusing on the correlation between domestic violence and child abuse.
Goals
- Creation of a comprehensive education campaign regarding domestic violence and its correlation to child abuse
- Review of current training models/programs and educational materials regarding domestic violence and child abuse within the courts, school system (public and private), faith community, law enforcement, business community, community centers and the health care community
- Establishment of a community Speaker's Bureau regarding domestic violence and child abuse
- Development of a specific education campaign for children that highlights warning signs and safety strategies when involved in domestic violence or child abuse situations
- Review of purpose/goals of peer education groups in public and private schools (e.g. SAFE program) and their emphasis on domestic violence and child abuse issues
- Establishment of a partnership relationship with one key media outlet for distribution of information on services, programs and events
- Articulate need for resources and services promoting family safety and stability
IV Technology Workgroup:
Interim Chair: Walter Gallagher
Staff Support: Walter Gallagher, Criminal Justice Coordinator, Orange County, Ronald Johnson, Integrated Criminal Justice Coordinator, Orange County
Mission
To make use of all available technology to enhance the safety, well-being and stability of families and children experiencing domestic violence and child abuse, while balancing the need for access of information with the privacy rights of all parties.
Goals
- Establishment of a secure website with a central database/registry to include the following:
- Domestic violence perpetrators/victims;
- Domestic violence injunctions filed and served;
- Local, state and national criminal histories;
- Mental/medical histories of all parties involved in domestic violence/child abuse cases;
- Child abuse/domestic violence allegations and/or investigations by law enforcement or the Department of Children and Families.
- Development of a domestic violence/child abuse website with information and links on community resources
- Creative placement of kiosks containing domestic violence/child abuse resources for victims (e.g. public restrooms, dressing rooms)
- Research funding sources for technology-related initiatives
- Review of legislative statutes pertaining to release of and access to information on perpetrators and/or victims of domestic violence or child abuse
V Community Services Workgroup
Chair: Dr. Deborah Day
Staff Support : Kelly Kwas, Media Specialist, Communications Division, Orange County Government
Mission
Development of, or enhancements to, domestic violence and child abuse services/programs that build on the unique strengths and concerns of families, focusing on the safety and stability of the whole family unit, and collaboration with diverse communities for effective intervention strategies within those communities.
Goals
- Review of available services/programs in the community regarding domestic violence and child abuse, to include how services/programs are marketed and accessed
- Review of protocols/training standards regarding risk and lethality assessments for child abuse and domestic violence victims
- Review of safety planning for domestic violence victims and the availability of safety tools (e.g. cell phones, pagers)
- Review of batterer intervention programs and their success in reducing domestic violence episodes