25.9.09

I am sitting here at the park this lovely calm quiet-very still fall day.

Note: Cross posted from [wp angelfury]Battered Mothers Rights - A Human Rights Issue.

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I am sitting here at the park this lovely calm quiet-very still fall day.

Thinking of my daughter- my mother- of what it must feel like to not to always be in fear for your safety.It wears one out…. to constantly be in fight or flight mode. The system of abuse.

The system of abuse-so many lives it has claimed… and I am just one of thousands, whom remain frantically trying to simply stay alive; on top of the judicial horrors that continue with my daughter and like that of so many others. As always, I am drawn back to what is it that I can control—or do- to make a difference.?

As I sit here this beautiful day, watching the squirrels gather nuts, dropping them- playing with each other- listening to the world around me… the sounds of life, nature, indeed the universe it’s self; my heart aches. Desperately trying to find the inner strength to ‘pack’ and move yet again. Triaged as all battered women know and do- we carry all and everything we need in our purse- or car or tent and sleeping bag-so the main things are already secure- and I not wanting to go back into that ‘terror’ mode elected this spot at this time. In the park- and of course like my previous statement- all I truly need-is always with me. All but the ability to ‘live’ the beauty of life that is.

Hence, this blog entry- my puking if you will-I don't do this often- but like any other poison in the body-illness or other purging by throwing up-or crying till your vocal cords no longer can speak- like i did when my dear mom died-and the brutal attacks of the judiciary as a result the known adage that a coward, bully, abuser will always kick you hardest when you are down-remains true. So I must come stay above that – and I will. But for now I purge. Tomorrow I change the world.

After all these years, sixteen hellish years- one would think that the heart would stop bleeding-it doesn't. That is the nature of humanity, and ultimately will be what saves- humanity. Simply.

What do I want my child to know about the mother that she was forbidden to see..??  To know? To grow up with? What can I do to make it so that she knows, one day- how so very much she is loved..?

I often tell many mothers in crisis what I come back to now. The best gift a parent can give to their child is ‘example’. No matter if they see them, know them or are ripped completely out of their lives. The most horrible of all- and their goal- the abusers the  criminal the perps rightful reward through our ‘Justice System”.

The next best thing to killing them, and if they can they will do that to. Ok so this is what I will not allow to happen. For myself anyway. Their are so many dead --- so many who have been silenced- their voices, their cries… like my internal cries- the cries of my own daughter falling once again on deaf ears.

There is so much I want to say to you my daughter. But where would one begin..? I think that out of all my dreams I have only but one. To simply walk with you in the park. On a day like this in a park like this, wrapped in only the warmth of the sun and the beauty of the trees… and that simple quiet-unspoken but known and understood complete understanding. I beleive this is called a chance to begin perhaps to ‘heal’.

The word ‘heal’ almost feels like a soothing band-aide on my broken heart. a simple thing really. To allow one to begin the “natural” process of healing.

We do not need court whores to do this. We as humans are naturally the perfect curers of our own endured traumas- to be allowed to simply exist.. to be left alone to just ‘be’. we can take care of this all on our own….

Ok, so this will not be achieved through court whore world- and again I am left to my self on a day like this- tired of ‘fear’ and just plain tired of all the years of not being ‘free’.

Freedom- I live in Topeka, Kansas-USA- where the people all wear blindfolds and THINK we are Free- define freedom… or, what does each individual person believe that freedom is, for their selves. As a society do we have the right to define another's freedom? No.

I am a survivor of brutal assaults. They call it Domestic Violence. There is nothing Domestic about it. The criminal who perpetrated the violence against my daughter and I was given complete custody-criminal rewards- and true to his words when i left 16 years ago-“If you leave I will take your child’-did.

Ten years ago after a 6 year battle through two court of appeals two petition for reviews to KS state supreme court ( all before year 2000. I remain without knowing my daughter- my daughter robbed of the chance to know her mother- forced to grow up in hell a hell that in and of its self must be a hell of the most unimaginable… I know this from other children who ‘aged’ out of the system. They are damaged beyond belief- most don't survive at all.. they kill themselves IF they survive the years of torture all graced by the hand called ‘Justice’. what kind of world are we leaving to our future??? our children.. Our future world leaders, senators, politicians…God what a dark and black world the smell of death in place of the smells of this lovely park I sit in now.

My complete love to my mother and my daughter, to both I miss beyond words and it is with both that I continue to to draw strength from, I love you both, therefore I have no choice other than to succeed, and succeed I will.

I have purged-

I will not shut up, give up and I will not go away!

www.Angelfury,org

www.JusticeForMothers.com

www.KS-FCRC.com

www.KansansForJudicialAccountability.com

 

-be the change-

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24.9.09

The Path Unpaved

Note: Cross posted from ~Love For Her Daughter~.

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For my daughter my mother, for myself, for HOPE for Humanity-Don't give up Ever!!!

 

 

The Path Unpaved

 

I've walked this path alone so often,
I know it's form by heart.
And now, as always, my footing's unsure,
on its unstable and rocky start.

I second-guess each step I take,
for fear I'll slip and fall,

That one wrong step will lend me to,
an end that ends it all.

One misplaced foot, one careless word,
an avalanche begins;
The tug of war of heart and mind,
till one of them finally wins.

Each time I've walked this troubled path,
It’s ended  journey not together,
Each time I fear that to walk it again,
will tear me apart forever.

I haven't the strength to walk it alone,
nor the energy, if only I knew..
As every time I take this route,
I fear it may be my last too.

I don't know how to stop the pain,
Of traveling down this road again.
I've fought it time and over,
only to start it over again.

Yet each and every day I persevere,

As I steady my Unstable start:

I know that only change can come

From all of Passions Heart.

So if I must, I’ll rest awhile.

Ignore the Siren song.

Take comfort in the truth I dare

Unshakably, I will try to stand eternally strong.

© AngelFury

2005

Note: Cross posted from ~Love For Her Daughter~.

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The Path Unpaved

Note: Cross posted from ~Love For Her Daughter~.

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For my daughter my mother, for myself, for HOPE for Humanity-Don't give up Ever!!!

 

 

The Path Unpaved

 

I've walked this path alone so often,
I know it's form by heart.
And now, as always, my footing's unsure,
on its unstable and rocky start.

I second-guess each step I take,
for fear I'll slip and fall,

That one wrong step will lend me to,
an end that ends it all.

One misplaced foot, one careless word,
an avalanche begins;
The tug of war of heart and mind,
till one of them finally wins.

Each time I've walked this troubled path,
It’s ended  journey not together,
Each time I fear that to walk it again,
will tear me apart forever.

I haven't the strength to walk it alone,
nor the energy, if only I knew..
As every time I take this route,
I fear it may be my last too.

I don't know how to stop the pain,
Of traveling down this road again.
I've fought it time and over,
only to start it over again.

Yet each and every day I persevere,

As I steady my Unstable start:

I know that only change can come

From all of Passions Heart.

So if I must, I’ll rest awhile.

Ignore the Siren song.

Take comfort in the truth I dare

Unshakably, I will try to stand eternally strong.

© AngelFury

2005

Note: Cross posted from ~Love For Her Daughter~.

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A DREAM FOR YOU (a mother’s dream for her daughter)

 

A DREAM FOR YOU
(a mother’s dream for her daughter)

If I could dream
The dream I wanted too,
I would close my eyes,
And dream a dream for you.

I would give you all the world,
That you are deserving of,
And to you I would give
My everlasting love.

I would see to it,
That you were never sad.
And nothing in your life
Would ever happen bad.

I would wish for you,
All things would go your way,
And you would always be happy,
Each and every day.

In my dream
You would stay
Just as beautiful
As you are today.

Life for you would be as perfect
As the blueness of the sky,
And no one would ever hurt you,
Or ever make you cry.

I know it's just a dream,
But if dreams could come true,
I would close my eyes,
And dream a dream for you.

xoxoxo
~mom~

Claudine Dombrowski

AngelFury@AngelFury.org

www.AngelFury.org

Attention Barbara Kay of Canada: You Are Dangerous…I Hope You’ve Opened Your Eyes in the Past Year

Note: Cross posted from [wp angelfury] A Human Rights Issue-Custodial Justice.

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RightsForMothers.com

 
Attention Barbara Kay of Canada: You Are Dangerous…I Hope You’ve Opened Your Eyes in the Past Year

Filed under: Activism, Barbara Kay, Best interest of the child, Canada, Child Abuse, Child Custody, Child Custody Battle, Child Custody Issues, Child Custody Mediation,Child Custody for mothers, Child Pornography, Child Rape, Child Support, Child custody for fathers, Children and Domestic Violence, Children who witness abuse, Children's rights, Civil rights, Colton Saunders, Corrupt bastards, Custody Evaluators, Custody for dads, Custody for moms, Divorce, Domestic Abuse, Domestic Relations, Domestic Violence, Family Court Reform, Family Courts, Family Rights, Fatherhood groups, Fathers Rights, Fathers who murder their children, Fathers who rape their children, Females who hate females, Globe and Mail, Hate Crimes, Human Rights, Husbands who murder wives, Intimate Partner Assault, Kurt Makin, Legal abuse, Maternal Deprivation, Meara McIntosh, Mother's Rights, Murder, Murder - Suicide, Murdered Mothers, Non-custodial Mothers, Noncustodial Mothers, Rich Saunders, Scientific studies, Sociopaths, Violence against women, custody evaluations, fathers fighting for custody — justice4mothers @ 8:05 am

barbarakayHey Barbara Kay, I sincerely hope you’ve opened your eyes about violence against women and children in the past year.    (Are you really Mike Murphy in drag?)   Your actions of “coming to the rescue of all men with allegations against them” is dangerous, and I wonder how you’d react if you were raped going out to your car one night.  Throw in a severe beating, and let him urinate all over you after he is done with raping you (this happened to my cousin), and let’s see how you feel.  And father’s rights loser Paul Clements can tell you that you lied about being raped.

Try telling this to Meara McIntosh of Alberta.  She tried telling the authorities and the family court of the violent nature of her ex, Rich Saunders of Drumheller, AB.  Nobody believed her because of father’s rights pundits like you, spewing your drivel about false allegations from women.  Rich took little dear 3 year old Colton for a weekend visit last year after Meara was court ordered to turn the child over for the visit.  Rich killed little Colton and himself that weekend.  Now, with Colton buried  in his beloved Halloween costume, Meara couldn’t even afford to get a headstone for his grave (and he still needs one).  Maybe instead we can make November a fundraising month for buying headstones for all the victims of domestic violence.  Here are a few Canadians we can start with:

Theresa Thomas, a 58 year old from Vancouver, was killed by her husband on August 4, 2009.
Joan Paget, from Alberta, along with her daughter, Jolene, and her nine year old granddaughter, Misty, were killed by Joan’s husband on July 26, 2009.
Kristel Duval, 25 year old from Montreal, was killed by her husband on July 6, 2009.
Selamawit Negasi, 46 year old from Edmonton, a mother of 3 children, was killed by her husband July 5, 2009.
Brenda Blondell, 59 year old from British Columbia, was killed by her husband on June 22, 2009.
Maria Nzokilandevi, 53 year old from Ontario, mother of 3 children, was killed by her husband on June 12, 2009.
Michelle Simone, a 45 year old from Ontario, was killed by her husband on June 7, 2009.
Kerry Walters, a 25 year old from Ottawa and her 11 month old baby girl, Starla, were killed by Kerry’s husband on May 16, 2009.
Lorna Kate Redhead of Shamattawa, a 42 year old from Manitoba, was killed by her husband on May 16, 2009.
Gail Saltel, a 47 year old from Alberta and her 17 year old daughter, Erika, were killed by Gail’s husband on May 4, 2009.
Jessica Martel, 26 year old from Edmonton, a mother of 3 children, was killed by her husband on April 29, 2009.
Tubi Kawaja, 35 year old from Calgary, mother of a 3 year old boy, was killed by her husband on April 4, 2009.
Pamela Olara, 32 year old from Toronto, a mother of 4 children, was killed by her husband on April 2, 2009.
Jinane Ghannoum, 38 year old from Montreal, a mother of 3 children, was killed by her husband on March 24, 2009.
Kuldeep Kaur Badyal, 32 year old from Vancouver, a mother of 2 children, was killed by her husband on March 5, 2009.
Sherry Martin, 52 year old from Ontario, was killed by her husband on February 24, 2009.
Deborah Volker, 44 year old from Alberta, a mother of 3 children, was killed by her husband on February 23, 2009.
Shelley Richards, 56 year old from British Colombia was killed by her husband on February 10, 2009.

From a study cited by the National District Attorney’s Association in the United States, which I am sure they are more qualified than you to speak on this matter:

To the contrary, the available research suggests that false allegation rates are not significantly high.  For example, a 1990 study by Thoennes and Tjaden evaluated 9,000 divorces in 12 states7 and found that sexual abuse allegations were made in less than 2 percent of the contested divorces involving child custody.  Within this group, it appears false allegations occurred in approximately 5% to 8% of cases.8 This study is one of the most comprehensive and least subject to bias and sampling problems, since its sample is so large and representative of the population of those divorcing with custody and visitation disputes.9

7 Thoennes & Tjaden, The Extent, Nature and Validity of Sexual Abuse Allegation in Custody/Visitation Disputes, Child Abuse and Neglect 1990, 14:151-163.
8 Id.
9 Kathleen Coulborn Faller, David L. Corwin & Erna Olafson, Literature Review: Research on False Allegations of Sexual Abuse in Divorce, APSAC Advisor 1993, 6(3), page 9.

Not all women are truthful, as shown in the study above, but a vast majority are.  Not all guys are bad…there are many good fathers out there.  But to blanket-protect many abusers that are dangerous to the lives of women and children is just WRONG!  Shame on you, Barbara Kay!


For what it is worth (and it isn’t that much), here is her horrifying opinion last year from the National Post:

Barbara Kay, October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month; How about making November false allegations awareness month

Posted: October 06, 2008, 9:11 PM by Jonathan Kay

Barbara Kay

Domestic Violence Awareness Month was first observed in October, 1987 and is celebrated on the first Monday in October. That’s today, October 6. Fittingly enough, this morning’s Globe and Mail carries an editorial on the sometimes tragic effects when innocent men are charged with false allegations of sexual abuse.

The editorial recounts the story of a young father who was savagely beaten to death with a baseball bat by a young man who took the word of two girls, aged 13 and 15, when they claimed the victim had “touched them inappropriately.” The girls had lied and clearly incited their male “protector” to violence, but they were not charged with any crime. Nor was an 18-year old woman who accompanied the murderer and presumably, at the very least, approved of his actions. Perhaps she even egged him on. She was only charged with “breaking and entering.” The editorial indignantly concludes that “the authorities need to punish” those whose false accusation are at the root of such incidents.

The Globe editorialists’ indignation suggests a certain naiveté about the prevalence of this practice. They would profit from spending a few days in family court, where, in the interest of tipping custody battles in their own interest, women’s false allegations of domestic violence and sexual abuse of children against their former partners are so rife – and virtually never punished – that it is apparently the best-kept secret crime in the western world. Oh, perhaps these men are not beaten up with baseball bats, but they do lose their homes, their children, often their jobs and friends, spend time in jail, are rarely given the benefit of the doubt – and many of them kill themselves from despair.

In 2000, it was reported that the FBI’s DNA testing over a three year period had exonerated more than 30% of their 4,000-plus sexual assault suspects. Going further back, in the FBI’s Behavioural Science Unit’s 1983 study of False Allegations, a total of 220 out of 556 rape investigations – 40% – turned out to be false. Over a quarter turned out to be actual hoaxes (remember the infamous Tawana Brawley, who at 15 falsely accused a number of white men of a marathon three-day gang rape, some of them police officers? At least she got successfully sued for defamation, but that was small potatoes for the havoc she wreaked in those men’s lives). About 4,000 allegations of rape a year are levelled in Manhattan. About half never happened. Police officials in New Zealand state that 64% of rape reports are false.

False reports of child abuse are even more prevalent. A 1999 National Post article reported on a study by two law professors from Queen’s University: “The academics looked at 196 abuse allegations involving separated parents. Of these, 46 cases resulted in judgments that abuse did occur. Of the 150 unproven cases, the trial judges believed the allegations were intentionally false (either a parent or child made them up) 45 times. Thus it appears there are as many cases of false accusations of child abuse as there are provable, true incidents.

After lifting the veil on the prevalence of false claims, the two law professors then detail[ed] the costs – emotional, financial and legal – of such accusations. Since mothers make the preponderance of abuse claims – true and false – it is fathers who bear the bulk of this burden. Further, it is important to remember that even if the charges are found to be baseless in criminal court, they can subsequently re-appear in family court. This means the father may never escape the stigma of being falsely accused of child abuse. And just one instance of a mother being charged with making false accusations was reported in the study, even though the data suggests one quarter of child abuse charges are likely to be deliberately invented.”

All allegations of sexual abuse or domestic violence should be routed immediately to criminal court and the burden placed on the accuser to prove (usually) her case. Real punishment should follow on false accusations of abuse of any kind. When women get away scot free with ruining men’s lives – or provoking tragedies like those detailed in this editorial – it is inevitable that the message trickles down to society at large that false allegations against men by women and girls are tolerated and even triviliazed. I don’t think those girls thought they were doing anything “wrong,” certainly not committing a crime. I  daresay they would not have been so insouciant about accusing the unfortunate young man if they were aware that false allegations result in serious consequences.

I would love to see the Globe and Mail follow up their editorial with an in-depth story on the state of false allegations in Canada today. As a kind of ironic “homage” to domestic violence month.

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Topeka, Kansas, Court Whores; M.Jill Dykes GAL, Odyssey and Don Hoffman Atty. for the PERP Halleck Richardson- wife beater and child abuser, hydroponic Marijuana grower (ohhhh …and snitch) oopps is the cat out of bag ..?

Note: Cross posted from [wp angelfury] I will not SHUT UP , GIVE UP and I WONT go away!!.

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Hal Richardson – wife beater- child abuser- More coming on the state seeds and gardening crew in Topuka KanSUCKS  later ( snitches get away with murder ya know) So—secrets are all already on line and will be posted daily- new and evolving Soap Opera of the State whores and their snicth allies- stay tuned on that one)

Odyssey Group of Topeka KS (a Private for Profit by Child Abuse Agency)  has aligned with the GAL Court Whore  M. Jill Dykes and they have been tag teaming… But-

As is Karma baby!! it is coming back around ( thx people who DONT LIKE SNITCHES- for all their valuable info) and on the judiciary side Thanks to Tuck Duncan Lawyer assigned to my case for my direct Contempt hearing in April –Yes,  I am Guilty” I have Contempt for the Courts and the Court whores-

this is good

 

(side note- as well my address has been compromised) BUT the good is that a National apartment leasing company has waived all and will maintain my confidentiality- All I have to do is make it through to just after the 1st of the month!) Freaking easy as pie Toto!!!

 I WILL NOT SHUT UP, GIVE UP and I WILL NOT GO AWAY! (and I WILL expose the whores of the Court in Shawnee County KanSUCKS! (think they will get the memo yet ?)

2009 September 22 -Tuck to Hoffman -demand for visits now aint that the shit..?

[scribd id=20179061 key=key-26r3aoo2f41spd4a2p1e]

2009 September 22 -tuck to Hoffman -demand for visits

 

Court Appointed Child Abuser M. Jill Dykes

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Gunpowder and Lead Domestic Violence in Custody Cases

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From “Failure to Report”: Mother Gets Custody of Child Back Who Was Chased by Father With Chainsaw

Note: Cross posted from [wp angelfury] Battered Mothers Rights - A Human Rights Issue.

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From “Failure to Report”: Mother Gets Custody of Child Back Who Was Chased by Father With Chainsaw

Filed under: Activism, Best interest of the child, Child Abuse, Child Custody, Child Custody Battle, Child Custody Issues, Child Custody Mediation, Child Custody for mothers,Child Support, Child custody for fathers, Children and Domestic Violence, Children's rights, Civil rights, Corrupt bastards, Custody for dads, Custody for moms, Domestic Abuse, Domestic Relations, Domestic Violence, Family Court Reform, Family Courts, Family Rights, Fathers Rights, Mother's Rights, Texas — justice4mothers @ 8:35 pm

Great news!  I was hoping someone would step in and save this child that was in the “Failure to Report” corner of Miss J’s post!

Mother awarded custody of child authorities say was beaten by father

September 23, 2009 6:51 PM

Scott Lawrence

A Jasper County judge has given Child Protective Services and a mother joint custody of a five-year-old boy investigators say was beaten so severely by his father, the child is still in a Houston hospital.

Investigators say the boy’s father chased him around the yard with a chain saw last month and beat the youngster.

The child’s father, John Cornelius, 24, Cornelius’ girlfriend, Jessie Waddell, 27, and her mother, Wanda Macks, 54, are charged with injury to a child. The two women are also charged with failure to report his injuries.

The child’s biological mother is from East Texas.

The judge ruled Wednesday that the mother will have joint managing custody with CPS.

The agency will visit the child’s home and make sure the little boy is taken care of once he’s released from Texas Children’s Hospital.

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Parental Alienation Syndrome Debunked by the National District Attorney’s Association – Part Two

Note: Cross posted from [wp angelfury] Battered Mothers Rights - A Human Rights Issue.

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Parental Alienation Syndrome Debunked by the National District Attorney’s Association – Part Two

Filed under: Child Custody, Child Custody Battle, Child Custody Issues, Child custody for fathers, Domestic Abuse, Domestic Relations, Domestic Violence, Dr. Richard Gardner, Family Court Reform, Family Courts, Family Rights, Getting Screwed by the Whores of the Court, Help for Victims of Domestic Violence, Legal abuse, Non-custodial Mothers, Noncustodial Mothers, Parental Alienation Syndrome, fathers fighting for custody, parental alienation — justice4mothers @ 3:46 am

This is Part Two of a Two Part Series from the National District Attorney’s Association and the American Prosecutors Research Institute (APRI)

Parental Alienation Syndrome: What Professionals Need to Know

By Hope Fields1 & Erika Rivera Ragland2

Introduction

Parental Alienation Syndrome (PAS) has created obstacles for child abuse prosecutors. It is crucial for child abuse prosecutors to understand the theory of PAS, and know how to best challenge its legitimacy in court. Part 1 of this article addressed the PAS theory and its inherent flaws.3 We now turn to the courts’ approaches to PAS, and propose arguments and methods to suppress this unreliable evidence.

Case Law Status

PAS has been received differently by criminal and civil courts. However, defendants draw from both civil and criminal opinions in crafting arguments for admitting PAS as scientific evidence in child abuse cases. Therefore, it is important for prosecutors to be aware of both criminal and civil law when preparing a suppression argument. PAS has been addressed in a few criminal cases and approximately fifty civil cases in courts of record.

Criminal Case Law4

In 1995, the Ohio Court of Appeals allowed evidence of PAS in a sexual abuse case.5 The defendant was convicted by the trial court of three counts of rape and one of sexual battery, all against his own children. The trial court allowed the defendant to present an expert who testified about PAS and the potential effects it can have in alienating children involved in custody battles. It is unclear from the court’s opinion whether the prosecution ever objected to presentation of this evidence, or to what extent the PAS evidence was used by the defense. The court did not discuss the admissibility of PAS evidence in its decision.

New York courts have consistently refused to admit evidence of PAS in criminal cases. In People v. Loomis6, the defendant, who faced charges of sexual abuse, moved the court to have the victims and their mother examined by Dr. Richard Gardner, the doctor who created and coined PAS, to determine if allegations of abuse were fabricated. The court denied defendant’s motion, holding that

New York practice does not allow experts to offer an opinion on the ultimate issue of fact as to whether sexual abuse occurred. The issue is strictly reserved to the trier of fact… The defendant’s expert purports to make such a determination by determining if a particular accusation has the criteria of a truthful or a false accusation.

    In a later case, another New York court refused to admit PAS evidence.7 The court held that PAS failed to meet the Frye standard because defendant failed to show that it was generally accepted in relevant scientific communities.

    California is the only other state to have discussed the admissibility of PAS in a criminal context. In an unpublished opinion earlier this year, the California Court of Appeals held that the defendant, convicted of sexual assault and lewd and lascivious acts on a child, had not been deprived of his due process rights by the trial court’s refusal to allow his expert to testify regarding PAS.8 Among the reasons for affirming the trial court’s decision was the determination that an understanding of the PAS theory was not beyond common experience and that PAS evidence is not scientific enough to meet the Kelly-Frye evidentiary standard.

    Civil Case Law

    Evidence of Parental Alienation Syndrome is admitted more frequently in civil cases than in criminal court. PAS evidence has been admitted in cases involving custody determinations and is usually introduced in an attempt to show that one parent, in denigrating the other parent in the presence of the child, has caused that child to express distaste and/or hatred for that other parent.9

    States’ approaches to PAS evidence vary. A few states have allowed PAS evidence to be admitted in civil custody cases.10 Other courts, when confronted with PAS, have discussed it or allowed some evidence of it while emphasizing that such discussion did not comprise an evaluation of the legitimacy of PAS theory.11

    Challenging PAS Evidence

    Daubert12 and Frye13 are the most prominent cases dealing with admissibility of scientific evidence and expert testimony. While different jurisdictions employ different admissibility standards, there are a number of factors that can contribute relevant information to any admissibility evaluation. First, evidence of a scientific theory is more likely to be admitted in court if the techniques underlying that theory have been tested and if an error rate has been determined. The theory of PAS does not employ any assessable technique but rather, as stated in the Part 1 of this article, it is based upon anecdotal evidence that was personally observed and reported by Dr. Gardner. As a result, the accuracy of PAS theory has not been rigorously studied and verified. Second, the reliability of scientific evidence is more easily evaluated when it has been subject to peer review. As previously indicated, Gardner published his own work and his writings were not frequently subjected to scientific peer reviews.

    Prosecutors should diligently question any case law or article that is cited as supporting PAS theory. Some Web sites that discuss PAS refer to case law as supporting the reliability of PAS theory, but the opinions in these cited cases are often not adequately explained or they prove to be less supportive of PAS theory than argued. Prosecutors reviewing literature that is referenced as positive on PAS should scrutinize it carefully.14

    Procedural Arguments

    The strongest procedural argument against admission of PAS evidence vis a vis expert testimony is that it invades the province of the jury. Most states do not allow experts “to offer an opinion on the ultimate issue of fact as to whether the sexual abuse has occurred.”15 In those states, prosecutors should argue that allowing a PAS expert to testify that the allegations arose out of a sour relationship between parents permits that expert to testify as to the ultimate issue of the case.

    Prosecutors in jurisdictions that have adopted the Federal Rules of Evidence can argue for exclusion of PAS evidence under two rules. First, under rule 104(a), a trial judge must make “a preliminary assessment of whether the reasoning or methodology underlying the testimony is scientifically valid.”16 PAS is not based on an easily articulable methodology that can be assessed for scientific validity and, consequently, prosecutors should argue that it fails even to pass the preliminary assessment for validity.

    Second, rule 403 states that evidence should be excluded when the probative value is outweighed by the danger of unfair prejudice.17 There is a possibility that the jury will see the court’s acceptance of defendant’s PAS expert as a determination that the testimony presented by the expert represents some scientific truth. Prosecutors should argue that it is within the common experience of jurors to contemplate the possibility that the non-accused parent planted ideas in the child’s head. Qualifying an expert to testify about PAS creates the risk that the jury will place too much emphasis and reliance on PAS evidence.

    Substantive Arguments

    A syndrome is a group of symptoms that appear to occur together.18 However, the cause of the symptoms is “often unknown or poorly understood,” while the cause of a disease, by contrast, is usually known.19 It is possible for a syndrome to indicate a strong relationship between a cause and a set of symptoms, but each syndrome falls in a different place along the continuum of certainty. The continuum is a concept that explains the strength and reliability of the supposed relationship.20

    Some syndromes are nondiagnostic, which means that they do not point to particular causes. PAS is a nondiagnostic syndrome.21 Thus, while an expert can argue the legitimacy of the theories underlying PAS, the expert is not able to point to a particular cause of the syndrome with certainty. Even if courts reject arguments regarding unreliability, prosecutors should remain acutely aware of how the evidence is being presented. If the expert is offering an opinion regarding the cause of the “syndrome,” prosecutors should object to the improper use of the evidence.

    Quick Tips for Challenging PAS Evidence

    There are many things that prosecutors can do to challenge PAS evidence in child abuse cases:

  • Challenge under Daubert/Frye. Argue that PAS evidence does not meet the evidentiary standard in your jurisdiction.

  • Know statistics and studies. Statistics about false reporting are available through the National Center for the Prosecution of Child Abuse (NCPCA) or from the National Clearinghouse on Child Abuse and Neglect Information at http://nccanch.acf.hhs.gov.

  • Know psychological dynamics of child abuse. Arm yourself with information about child abuse disclosures. Learn the psychological process of disclosure, the significance in the timing of disclosures, recantation, and proper procedures for conducting forensic interviews.22

  • Share information. Share your motions, briefs, and transcripts with other prosecutors. Create central files in the office so other prosecutors do not have to reinvent the wheel.

  • Write the APA. Send a letter to the American Psychiatric Association23 to discourage inclusion of PAS in the DSM-V.

  • Prepare your experts. Meet with your experts before trial to prepare them for the defense expert and what you anticipate his or her testimony will be.

  • Contact the National Center for Prosecution of Child Abuse (NCPCA). Call or E-mail the NCPCA with questions about child abuse or expert testimony.

    • Conclusion

      PAS is an unproven theory that can threaten the integrity of the criminal justice system and the safety of abused children. Prosecutors should educate themselves about PAS and be prepared to argue against its admission in court. In cases where PAS testimony is admitted, it is a prosecutor’s responsibility to educate the judge and jury about the shortfalls of this theory. As more criminal courts refuse to admit PAS evidence, more protection will be afforded to victims of sexual abuse in our court system.

      1 Staff Attorney, American Prosecutors Research Institute, National Center for Prosecution of Child Abuse.

      2 Staff Attorney, American Prosecutors Research Institute, National Center for Prosecution of Child Abuse.

      3 See Ragland, Erika and Fields, Hope, Parental Alienation Syndrome: What Professionals Need to Know, Update, Vol. 16, No. 5, Nov. 2003.

      4 The earliest criminal opinion that addressed PAS was handed down in Wyoming in 1994. In McCoy v. State, defendant was convicted of sexual assault and taking indecent liberties with a minor. During the trial, the state called an expert to testify about PAS. The state’s expert provided an overall explanation of PAS and concluded that the allegations of sexual assault were not fabricated, based on his sessions with the sexual abuse victim as well as the theory of PAS. The defendant appealed, claiming ineffective assistance and arguing that his attorney should have called his own PAS witness. The court disagreed and affirmed the convictions on all counts. This case is unusual in that the prosecutor, rather than the defendant, introduced the PAS evidence. However, practitioners should be aware of this decision.

      5 State v. Koelling, 1995 Ohio App. LEXIS 1056.

      6 658 N.Y.S.2d 787 (1997).

      7 People v. Fortin, 289 A.D.2d 590 (N.Y. App. Div. 2001).

      8 People v. Sullivan, 2003 Cal. App. Unpub. LEXIS 3316.

      9 In reviewing civil case law dealing with PAS, it is important to recognize that there exists a theory that is similar to, but distinguishable from, PAS. Parental Alienation is a related theory that focuses on parental behavior that could lead to some change in the child’s relationship with the other parent. PAS is distinguishable in that it focuses on the behavior of the child in denigrating the other parent without justification. Darnall, Douglas. Parental Alienation: Not In the Best Interest of the Children. 75 N. Dak. L. Rev. 323 (1999).

      10 See generally, Pearson v. Pearson, 5 P.3d 239 (Alaska 2000) (PAS evidence admitted by trial court); Chambers v. Chambers, 2000 Ark. App. LEXIS 476; Kirk v. Kirk, 759 N.E.2d 265 (Ind. Ct. App. 2001); In re Marriage of Rosenfeld, 524 N.W.2d 212 (Iowa Ct. App. 1994); White v. Kimrey, 2003 La. App. LEXIS 1411; Barton v. Hirschberg, 137 Md. App. 1 (2001); In re S.G., 2003 Ohio 161; Cabot v. Cabot, 166 Vt. 485 (1997); In re Marriage of Shen, 2002 Wash. App. LEXIS 1075; Conde v. Krueger, 2003 Wisc. App. LEXIS 638.

      11 See C.J.L. v. M.W.B., 2003 Ala. Civ. App. LEXIS 100 (while PAS admitted at trial, appellate court indicated that it may have been inadmissible under Frye); Perlow v. Berg-Perlow, 816 So. 2d 210 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 2002) (objection to admission of PAS in lower court not preserved for appeal); In Interest of T.M.W., 553 So. 2d 260 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 1989) (PAS discussed by court, but not accepted as a diagnostic tool); Perez v. DeBates, 2003 Ill. App. LEXIS 879 (court changed language describing behavior to avoid idea of PAS); Ellis v. Ellis, 840 So. 2d 806 (Miss. 2003)(PAS evidence admitted only with a limited definition); J.F. v. L.F., 694 N.Y.S.2d 592 (1999)(court held that while NY family courts discuss PAS in terms of whether a child was programmed to disfavor one parent, courts do not discuss the acceptability of PAS as a theory).

      12 Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals, 509 U.S. 579 (1993).

      13 Frye v. United States, 54 App. D.C. 46, 293 F. 1013 (1923).

      14 Articles on PAS that have been published in peer reviewed journals are listed on the website of Creative Therapeutics, the publisher of many texts on PAS by Dr. Gardner, at www.rgardner.com/refs/pas_peerreviewarticles.html.

      15 See, e.g., People v. Loomis, 658 N.Y.S.2d 787, 789 (1997).

      16 Daubert.

      17 Fed. R. Evid. 403

      18 Myers, John E. B. Evidence in Child Abuse and Neglect Cases, Third Edition, Vol. 1. John Wiley & Sons, Inc. New York, 1997.

      19 Id. at 542.

      20 Id. at 544.

      21 Id. at 548.

      22 Inquire with the Center about Finding Words, an intensive, week-long training for Multi-Disciplinary Teams addressing these and other issues related to interacting with children in sex abuse cases. Finding Words is offered nationally once per year, and periodically throughout the year in states that have developed their own Finding Words course.

      23 The American Psychiatric Association can be reached at 1000 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 1825, Arlington, Virginia 22209-3901, or via e-mail atapa@psych.org.

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      Note: Cross posted from [wp angelfury] Battered Mothers Rights - A Human Rights Issue.

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