NCJ Number
228109
Journal
Juvenile and Family Court Journal Volume: 59 Issue: 3 Dated: Summer 2008 Pages: 19-37
Date Published
2008
Length
19 pages
Annotation
This article examines the practical, political, definitional, and ideological difference between Family Court and Domestic Violence Professionals.
Abstract
The professional communities addressed by this paper are not monolithic. Members within each have different jobs, personal experiences, and beliefs, all of which create different perspectives. The more each community knows about the variables ad nuances represented within the other, the easier communicating will be. Important to note are the examples of jurisdictions where family court professionals and domestic violence advocates have worked in harmony. Organizations such as the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (AFCC) and the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges (NCJFCJ) are uniquely situated to help acquaint the communities with each other more fully and to foster existing collaborations, realizing that they have a practical, if not moral, imperative to do so. This article offers a substantive analysis of reason for the division among all the professional communities; raises awareness of the important related political considerations, and provides both motivation and constructive ideas on moving beyond politics and positions to collaborate with one another. Part II of this article identifies the nature of the domestic violence advocacy and family court communities, and their respective impacts on the justice system. Part III sets forth the case for collaboration. Part IV examines the practical, political, definitional, and ideological challenges that confront the professional communities when struggling to work together. Part V highlights the current collaborations. Part VI provides some suggestions as to how the professional communities might move forward together. References