Progress on safe child exchange services
Survivors of domestic violence need safe places they can go to transfer their children for visits with the other parent without experiencing fear or injury. Court Watch leaders had a good meeting today with County Councilmember George Leventhal, Sheriff Popkin, Uma Ahluwalia (Director of DHSS) and their staffs. We discussed the urgent need for safe exchange […]
See WTOP story on new Court Watch study
WTOP did a great story this morning on our new report, “Small actions, big impacts“. In it, we take a careful look at steps District Court judges, bailiffs, interpreters and clerks take that help victims and their children stay safe. “One judge doesn’t get to hear what the other judges are doing, so this is a great way […]
Making a difference, focusing on work to be done
Court Watch cheered the announcement that the Human Rights Campaign will use its incredible advocacy skills to help push for tighter controls on guns. Court Watch is also focused on gun violence as part of our mission, and was proud to be cited in Tuesday’s Washington Post for our report that inspired gun legislation in […]
Memorial service for domestic violence homicide victims in Maryland
Between July 2013 and June 2014, 54 Marylanders lost their lives to domestic violence. 70% of the fatalities were due to guns. Last night a large crowd gathered in Annapolis to remember victims. Domestic violence homicides are preventable. New bills in the Maryland legislature would add protections for victims of violence in dating relationships and […]
Reaction to our first study has been tremendous
State court personnel expressed appreciation for the study and sent it to every district court judge in the state. Some of the recommendations will apparently be incorporated into new judge and bailiff training state-wide. Citizens in numerous other Maryland counties have expressed interest in setting up local court watch programs. We are glad to strategize, […]
Court Watch Montgomery issued it’s first major report (Oct. 2011)
Protecting Victims of Domestic Violence in Montgomery County: Challenges and Opportunities with Protective and Peace Orders Court Watch Montgomery has released our first report analyzing data collected by volunteers in domestic violence protective order dockets to identify needed court reforms. We estimate that over 7,000 residents are victims of domestic violence in Montgomery County each […]
Bilingual audio at court & other encouraging changes
Montgomery County district courts have evaluated our findings and recommendations (Download Report) and have made some significant changes, including the addition of a bilingual audio at court. Clerks at each courthouse now play an audio recording in English and Spanish before the judge takes the bench for the domestic violence protective order docket. The audio explains […]