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The Critical Need for Judicial Training About Domestic Violence  


Author:  Judge Eugene  Hyman (Ret.).; D. Kelly  Weisberg.


Source: Volume 20, Number 02, December/January 2015 , pp.21-23(3)




Domestic Violence Report

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Abstract: 

Domestic violence is a complex issue that holds particular challenges for judges. These challenges require judges to have specialized training in domestic violence. The mantra by domestic violence advocates that too many judges “have no DV experience” is deafening. Such training is essential to enable judges to understand the dynamics of domestic violence, the characteristics of abusers and victims, and, especially, to counter widespread misconceptions about the victims, perpetrators, and the nature of this conduct. Even though the Violence Against Women Act in 1994 targeted funding to encourage the education of judges in cases involving domestic violence, many states still fail to require judicial training on this important topic. Various available programs are specified here.

Keywords: range of statutory recommendations; National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges Program for Judges; “Enhancing Judicial Skills in Domestic Violence Cases”; “Continuing Judicial Skills in Domestic Violence Cases”; “Enhancing Judi

Affiliations:  1: Superior Court of California, Santa Clara County; 2: Hastings College of Law.

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