Judge Michael Bordallo of the Family Violence Court in Guam discusses his specialized court, including challenges and opportunities faced by the court and stakeholders. The judge also offers a unique perspective on responding to domestic violence in an island community.
Judges Carolyn Minder and James Cawthon preside over the Ada County Domestic Violence Court in Boise, Idaho. The court is one of three domestic violence courts in the U.S. selected by the Department of Justice's Office on Violence Against Women to serve as a mentor court, helping other courts develop more effective responses to domestic violence. In this episode of New Thinking, the judges explain how they divide their duties, work closely with the community, and promote rapid disposition of cases.
Jeanne Noordsy of Catholic Charities discusses her role in the planning and operation of two rural domestic violence court initiatives: the Integrated Domestic Violence Initiative in Warren and Washington counties, and the Domestic Violence Court in Glens Falls, NY. She details the ways in which the court interacts with victim advocates.
Annette Culunio, Resource Coordinator in Tioga and Schuyler Counties, two rural areas of New York State, discusses the planning, challenges, and rewards of the Integrated Domestic Violence Initiative.
Gail Pendleton, co-director of ASISTA, which advises and trains advocates and attorneys who work with immigrant survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault, discusses some of the complex issues non-citizen survivors face. July 2012
David Adams, co-founder and co-director of Emerge, the first counseling program in the nation for men who abuse women, discusses the inner workings, challenges, and potential benefits of group counseling for men who batter. (July 2012)
This report evaluates the impact of nine integrated domestic violence courts from primarily rural and semi-rural areas in upstate, New York. The findings indicate that IDV cases are significantly more likely than similar non-IDV cases from the same jurisdictions to be settled or withdrawn (indicating a mutually agreeable case resolution). At the same time, IDV cases were significantly less likely to be dismissed outright.
An exploration of litigant perspectives and experiences in the Yonkers integrated domestic violence (IDV) court, this report indicates that the majority of litigants felt the IDV court was fair, and that those who felt the court treated them fairly were more satisfied with their case outcomes. Domestic violence victims were more likely than defendants to have positive views of the court. Additionally, both victims and defendants felt that the IDV court made getting to and from court easier and reduced the amount of time taken off from work to make court appearances.
This report provides one of two in-depth examinations of NYS integrated domestic violence courts, which bring all related cases of the same family before a single judge where the underlying issue is domestic violence. The findings indicate that the IDV court saves families from making duplicate trips to court, increases mutually agreeable family court case resolutions, and is more likely to create lasting resolutions that do not need to be re-litigated in future cases.