3 Women 3 Ways

  MISUSE OF PSYCHOLOGICAL SCIENCE IN CUSTODY LITIGATION         Do you know that the Leadership Council estimates nearly 60,000 kids a year are forced by the courts to be with an unsafe parent? One article in Family and Intimate Partner Violence Quarterly (spring 2013) reported 175 documented cases of kids killed by their fathers after the court disregarded their mothers’ concerns about safety for children – and that was in just a two year period! So what’s up with the courts? How can this happen?         One reason is that the courts are using junk science and a skewed idea of “fairness” in determining child custody.  One researcher found that courts often misuse psychological science in custody litigation. And instead of recognizing what can be dangerous to children, family courts see themselves as fair and balanced and those concerned with abuse as ideologues with an ax to grind. The losers?  As usual, it’s the children.         Joan Meier, attorney and Professor of Clinical Law AT George Washington Un