The Family Court Advocacy Project is a coordinated effort of members of the Westside Domestic Violence Network. The project is an interdisciplinary, interagency collaboration of victims' advocates, domestic violence shelters, attorneys and social service providers, with input from consumers who have experience with domestic violence and the family court system. Together, they identify and respond to gaps in local services for victims of domestic violence and their children who are navigating the family court system.
The goal of the project is to increase safety for victims of domestic violence and their families after leaving the abusive relationship, and to protect adult victims and their children from the secondary trauma of abusive custody battles. Current projects include COURTWATCH and the Toolkit.
COURTWATCH
The Family Court Advocacy Project COURTWATCH was launched at the National Council of Jewish Women/Los Angeles in Fall 2007 as part of the organization's work with other members of the Westside Domestic Violence Network.
COURTWATCH is being developed as a process for conducting a systemic assessment of constituents' experiences and needs that will inform the ongoing work, goals and objectives of the Family Court Advocacy Project. The information gathered will be shared with domestic violence service providers throughout Los Angeles County.
The revised protocol for COURTWATCH, launched in Spring 2009, will:
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• Expand the knowledge base regarding teen and adult domestic violence victims' actual experiences in family court via a court observation project
• Contribute information gathered from family court observations toward the development of informational and training materials
• Form the basis for future court reform initiatives and improved advocacy for women, girls and children who have been impacted by domestic violence and are involved in family court proceedings with their batterers
Upon completion of the COURTWATCH Project, the Family Court Advocacy Project members will write a report with recommendations for policy changes and reform initiatives in support of local and statewide efforts to improve the family court system's response to victims of domestic violence and their families, and to counteract the increasing success of the "father's rights" movement in undermining women's rights in family courts.
TOOLKIT
The Family Court Advocacy Project Toolkit will increase domestic violence survivors' access to crucial information regarding the court system structure, victim's rights, and resources that will assist them in preparing for family court. Accessibility to this information will be improved by increasing service providers' knowledge through trainings of the Toolkit, distribution of the physical Toolkit, and access to Toolkit information through a website.
Educating service providers will increase empathy toward clients navigating the court system by increasing their knowledge regarding the experiences and needs of domestic violence victims. Service providers will enhance their ability to offer their clients accurate information, anticipatory guidance, and appropriate referrals for negotiating the family court system safely. Service providers will also be better equipped to identify safety risks and prevention strategies. Clients receiving Toolkit information through trained service providers will experience enhanced safety and well being for their families and improved outcomes in the family court proceedings.
The Toolkit is being developed to educate and empower domestic violence victims who need guidance in navigating the court system after separating from their abuser. While it will be helpful for a wide range of clients, this project is particularly targeted to assist low-income women with children who have little or no knowledge of the court system and their rights. Many victims of domestic violence have limited resources and lack the ability to acquire high quality legal representation, making them more susceptible to continual abuse by their perpetrator through the legal system. In addition, the Toolkit will address victims who seek out help from local service providers in the greater Los Angeles area.
For more information regarding COURTWATCH or the Toolkit, please contact whws@ncjwla.org or (323) 852-8515.