ARTICLE
GENDER FAIRNESS IN THE COURTS
|
|
by Marna Anderson
More than fifteen years ago, a WATCH monitor noted a Hennepin County judge asking a domestic abuse victim with obvious injuries what she
had "done this time" to get into trouble with her husband.
In another incident in those early years, WATCH was monitoring a trial in which a 15-year old girl had been raped by her friend's father while at a sleepover. The defense argued that the young woman was responsible for the sexual contact because she was "sexually aroused" that day after reading an article in Cosmopolitan magazine about sex with older men.
Monitors rarely report such blatant victim-blaming comments and ridiculous "Cosmo defense" arguments now, but victim-blaming attitudes still rear their ugly head in court in more
subtle ways. Read more...
|
RESOURCE
NEW MONITORING FORMS, WATCH MANUALS, AND MORE...
|
|
SAMPLE MONITORING FORMSBelow are sample monitoring forms for specific types of hearings that you may use or adopt for your program.
Sentencing FormView more sample WATCH forms. MANUALS
WEBSITE
Visit the re-designed WATCH website for additional resources including reports, newsletters, chronologies and more.
|
MONITOR NOTES FROM COURTWATCH FLORIDA
|
|
"Is the judge always that nice when you're in
the courtroom?"
-advocate
"Having you in the courtroom helped put my mind at ease
about what was going on while I had to wait outside."
-victim
"You wouldn't believe the difference in how the
Judge and State Attorney act when you're in the courtroom."
-former public defender
"If CourtWatch hadn't been in the courtroom, I don't
think I would have been granted an Injunction for Protection."
-victim
"It really makes a difference when you're here. The judge is so much better."
-prosecutor
Thank you to Laura Williams from CourtWatch Florida for providing these great quotes.
|
| Court WATCH Connection
|
|
|
|
NATIONAL ROUND UP
WHAT YOU WERE WORKING ON IN 2009
|
|
WATCH received over 40 calls this year from organizations and individuals requesting assistance and information on starting a court monitoring program. The following highlight some of the many projects and strategies you told us about.
Idaho-a university contacted WATCH for information on starting a court monitoring program using college students.
Maine-a domestic violence program called for information on passing a felony domestic strangulation law in their state (see WATCH's report on Minnesota's statute).
North Carolina-a domestic violence program called for help collecting and managing their court monitoring data.
Mississippi-a prosecuting attorney requested WATCH's support in applying for a state-wide court monitoring grant investigating domestic violence, stalking, and sexual assault.
California-a group starting a family justice center called seeking information on adding a court monitoring component to their center.
New York-a battered mother's rights group called requesting information about starting a court monitoring program and potentially scheduling a visit to our Minnesota offices.
Virginia-a court monitoring group called for suggestions on the best ways to disseminate their report. They were also interested in providing court monitor training to other programs in their state.
Colorado-a court monitoring program called for information about training volunteers.
We wish these programs and yours the best of luck in 2010. If we can help you advance your work in any way, please contact us.
|
WEBINAR
Monitoring Family Courts:
National Trends, Local Action
|
|
Date & Time: January 27th, 11:30am-12:30pm (CST)*
Special Guest:Paul Holdorf, Esquire National Family Court Watch Project
- A review of the National Family Court Watch Project's court
monitoring work assessing the effectiveness of family courts around the
country, including custody, visitation, support, and property issues.
- Initial data from WATCH's 18-month study of Children in
Need of Protection or Services cases, including the role of guardians ad
litem, child safety, and judicial decorum.
- Strategies for improving your family courts.
Cost: $50 NACMP member rate: $35
Contact: Anna Light or (612) 341-2747 x7.
*9:30 am Pacific, 10:30 am Mountain, 12:30 pm Eastern
|
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE
DO YOU SKYPE?
|
|
WATCH is now using Skype for video phone calls and trainings. Skype is a service that allows you to make free phone calls and video calls to other Skype users. Why would you want to Skype with WATCH? - You would like to have a face-to-face conversation.
- You would like your staff or board of directors to meet a WATCH staff person (particularly for problem-solving or to lend credibility to monitoring).
- You don't have funds for travel but would like us to participate in your meeting, conference or panel.
- It's fun and free!
If you already use Skype already and are interested in receiving training or technical assistance using this medium let us know. If you do not currently have Skype, you can download the program for free at their website.
You will also need to install a webcam to your computer if you don't already have one. Technology phobic? Installing a webcam is as easy as inserting a DVD. Thank you to Vancouver Rape Relief for asking us to present via Skype at their violence against women action day and introducing us to this very helpful service. |
RESOURCE
ON LINE CHRONOLOGIES
|
|
WATCH now has many defendant chronologies available on-line. Defendant chronologies are written compilations of an offender's criminal history and are a powerful tool for highlighting gaps in the system and documenting increasing levels of violence. Below are a sampling of the nearly 40 chronologies, dating back to 1994, available at our website. Click on a name to read:
Visit WATCH's website for a full listing of our defendant chronologies. Want to create your own chronology? WATCH provides training and resources. You can download our guidebook or participate in a webinar on the topic.
Local folks, do you have an update on one of these defendants? Let us know. | |
|
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF COURT MONITORING PROGRAMS
The National Association of Court Monitoring Programs works to support the creation and expansion of court monitoring programs across the U.S. We provide
training, technical assistance, networking opportunities and national
organizing to organizations and individuals engaged in court monitoring
activities and projects.
Join Today |
Member rates start as low as $75 for
organizations and $25 for individuals.
|
WATCH
bringing a public eye to justice
608 2nd Ave S. #465
Mpls, MN 55402
(612) 341-2747
watch@watchmn.org
www.watchmn.org
ABOUT WATCHView a short video about WATCH's history and mission. Hear what staff, volunteers and court personnel say about our work. |
|
|
