Updates from protective order court, #1

updates from protective order court

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Transgender youth and dating violence

transgender youth and dating violence

In 2017, ten states including Maryland piloted a survey to measure the percentage of high school students that identify as transgender and assess the link between being a transgender high school student and dating violence.  The recently released survey data from the 2017 Youth Risk Behavior Survey can be useful in planning dating violence prevention programs […]

Troublesome bond hearing in alleged child molestation case

bond hearing

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New “red flag” law is already working

Maryland's red flag law

Maryland’s new “red flag” law allows police, victims and health professionals to petition Maryland courts when an individual, family member or client has a gun and is an imminent threat to themselves or the community.  The law, which went into effect in October 2018, is already saving lives across the state. Under the law, guns […]

Courts begin implementing new Maryland gun laws

new Maryland gun laws

Courts all across the state have begun implementing new Maryland gun laws that: improve firearm transfers upon conviction of a domestic violence crime; and make more people eligible to more quickly get Commissioner or court permission to temporarily remove guns from a person who is a threat to themselves or others. As of October 1, […]

Baltimore judge accused of destroying records, bullying

Baltimore judge

The Commission on Judicial Disabilities has completed its hearings scrutinizing the professionalism of  Baltimore Judge Devy Patterson Russell.   The 11-member panel has not announced the timing of their deliberations. District Court Judge Patterson Russell testified in her own defense late Monday (Nov. 5, 2018). Investigators allege that Judge Russell has repeatedly bullied clerks and colleagues.  She […]

High Point model is reducing abuser recidivism

High Point model

The High Point model approach for working with domestic violence offenders and victims has significantly reduced offender recidivism. What’s their secret? Could it work in Maryland? At least one Maryland county is using portions of the model to reduce domestic violence assaults. Tired of high recidivism rates and worrying that anything they did “might make […]

New video on local domestic violence prevention

local domestic violence prevention

A new 15-minute video on domestic violence prevention has been produced by Montgomery County. Two victims  (a teenager victim of same sex abuse and a middle-aged woman) each describe their abusive relationship and how they escaped. The video also highlights work being done by the Sheriff, Family Justice Center, the Domestic Violence Coordinating Council, Court Watch […]

No progress extending and expanding Violence Against Women Act

Violence Against Women Act

Re-authorization of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), which funds a great number of domestic violence service programs across Maryland, has been delayed in Congress’ rush to head home for the fall campaign season. Funding under the Act is extended for two to three months, but a year-long authorization and appropriation is needed to enshrine […]

Two inmates charged with murdering pregnant partners commit suicide

murdering pregnant partner

Two inmates accused of murdering their pregnant partner have committed suicide in Montgomery County jails in the last three months.T The two inmates were housed at the Montgomery County Correctional Facility in Clarksburg. Both men initially blamed the deaths on intruders. Thierry Kinshala Nkusu hung himself on July 4, 2018, approximately two days after being […]