Coalition for Safe Families Position Statement 1/28/08
The Coalition for Safe Families OPPOSES the following legislative initiatives proposed by Men and Women Against Discrimination (MAWAD):
- “One size fits all” presumption of 50/50 custody
- Additional and excessive criminal and civil penalties for false allegations of domestic violence and child abuse & neglect
The Coalition for Safe Families opposes MAWAD initiatives because they:
- undermine victim safety
- weaken judicial discretion
- increase state intervention in parental decision-making
- open the door to increased litigation
- produce a gender-biased and inappropriate “one size fits all” custody determination
- undercut a history of successful protective measures passed by the Legislature
- create significant statutory conflicts for mandatory reporters of child abuse
- reinforce victim-blaming attitudes
- discredit victims of domestic violence & child abuse
- minimize the seriousness of domestic violence & child abuse
- ignore the manipulative behavior of batterers
- endanger children.
The Coalition for Safe Families stands together in support of the following:
- WV’s current shared parenting laws allowing for joint custody when appropriate
- WV’s current false swearing statute that adequately addresses false allegations
- Legislative Select Committee A’s Final Report recommending no further study of the Family Court System
- the best interest of children
- the least disruption in children’s lives
- accountability for domestic violence batterers and child abusers
- safety for families.
The following organizations and individuals are members of the Coalition for Safe Families and have endorsed the principles expressed in this position statement (1-21-08):
- WV Coalition Against Domestic Violence
- National Association of Social Workers WV Chapter
- Prevent Child Abuse WV
- WV Court Appointed Special Advocates
- WV Women’s Commission
- WV Child Advocacy Network
- YWCA Family Violence Prevention Program
- Rape & Domestic Violence Information Center
- Tug Valley Recovery Shelter
- Branches Domestic Violence Shelter
- Family Crisis Intervention Center
- Shenandoah Women’s Center
- YWCA Resolve Family Abuse Program
- Mountain State Justice
- The Lighthouse
- Women’s Resource Center
- HOPE, Inc.
- Women’s Aid in Crisis
- Family Crisis Center
- S.A.F.E.
- Family Refuge Center
- Harrison County Child Abuse Task Force, Inc.
To join the Coalition for Safe Families or endorse this position statement as an individual or on behalf of an organization, please submit a comment below, email safefamilieswv@gmail.com or call 304-965-3552.
