Domestic Violence and Protective Orders in Maryland
http://thekojonnamdishow.org/shows/2010-03-11/domestic-violence-and-protective-orders-maryland
Maryland lawmakers recently killed a bill that would make it easier for victims of domestic violence to receive a final protective order against their abusers. Supporters say the measure would bring Maryland in line with the rest of the country, but critics warn it could lead to a flood of false accusations. Join Kojo as we go inside the debate and hear about the latest legislative maneuvers on the issue.
Guests
Sue Hecht
Member, Maryland House of Delegates (D-District 3A, Frederick County)
Luiz Simmons
Delegate (D-17th Dist.), Maryland State House of Delegates
Comments
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At the Feb 25th hearing, Amy Castillo testified, the Montgomery County pediatrician whose three children were murdered by her estranged husband, Mark Castillo. Del. Simmons said that the judge had problems with her credibility and she wouldn't even be credible with the lower standard.
So according to Del. Simmons it's not enough that Mark Castillo threatened to kill them all, had broken the locks of the house, she had to move from the house to be safe, and she was very afraid for her safety.
Children are getting hurt and dying because judges are denying protective orders.
Also, it is not true that a parent with a final protective order de facto gains custody, the house, etc. on a permanent basis. Every divorce or separation case must be fully heard in the county circuit court where a judge hears evidence and renders a final decision as to the division of property and child access.
I am truly saddened to hear so much misinformation.
We have Maryland cases where children have been sexually abused, physically abused or have begun to self-harm themselves because their parent has not been granted a final protective order from the abusive parent.
The Castillo case is important because, even with the amount of information Dr. Castilo gave, it was not enough. And three children are dead who could have been protected.
Eileen King
Justice For Children
Justice for Children is a confused group because it rejects the possibility and existence of a most indsidious form of child and adult abuse, known as Parental Alienation. Furthermore it has been associated with sexism blaming the male for being a perpetrator and the woman as being a victim. How does one achieve a functional view of matters when it is so myopic?
I couldn't believe this when I read about it on the internet. I read that Amy Castillo's credibility was questioned. I am horrified that our elected representatives are that naïve and, frankly, that stupid. Having three murdered children lends a lot of credibilty to a mother testifying about the denial of protective orders.
Now Robert, this has absolutely nothing to do with so-called parental alienation syndrome, which is not recognized by the American Medical Association, nor the American Psychological Association and has been debunked by the American Judges Association, the National District Attorney's Association and the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges. The latter went as far as to warn judges not to accept claims of parental alienation syndrome or parental alienation because of it's well know use by abusers to take custody of children away from their victims.
No, this is about protection for victims of domestic violence, be it a woman or a man, and the right to get that protection just as a victim in ANY OTHER STATE can get. Please get help over your obsession over junk science, I am worried about you dear.
Vote the delegates out that voted against this and get someone new in their seats. It's your say on election day.
I don't find Mr. Simmons credible because he declared the bill was voted down with a wide demographic range saying no. But as Kojo pointed out, only 2 of the 15 voting it down were women (are they second wives??), and for those approving it 4 of the 6 were women. That doesn't seem balanced to me at all and Mr. Simmons has lost all credibility as far as I am concerned. By the way, how many of the 7% of the petitions that were denied resulted in deaths of people? How many of these deaths were "frivolous" in Mr. Simmon's mind? How about the other members that voted this down?