The 10+ Most Impactful Family Law Advocacy Moments of 2023 (Plus highlights from 2021–22)
THANK YOU to the countless folks from around the globe who provided their time, energy, heart and soul to collectively achieve the 60+ incredibly significant contributions that have helped to make the the world safer for children and survivors of within our legal system over the last three years― and set the tone for the justice, health and peace that is to come (see below, plus 2021 & 2022 highlights).
It is our extreme hope (and urging) that this momentum continues on a broader scale to ensure that the lives and human rights of all beings are protected and that all victims of oppression continue to rise together to cultivate more health and peace throughout our world.
As we know, on a micro and macro level, the tactics of abusers/oppressors are the same. They are rooted in the perpetuation of separation from health, support, family, land, culture, truth, and from oneself. When we all prioritize human rights and protection from violence and abuse, we empower, support collective healing, and the healing of our communities and planet in every way imaginable.
Here are just some of the most impactful moments of 2023 in the area of Family Court/Child Safety Advocacy. May these evolutions within the family court system be a pathway to the larger movement in our world where cycles of abuse/oppression are replaced with natural cycles of health, peace, regeneration and liberation for all.
- The publishing of the Custody, violence against women and violence against children report by UNSR Violence Against Women and Girls, Reem Alsalem
- The presentation and open discussion on the Custody, violence against women and violence against children report (by UNSR Violence Against Women and Girls, Reem Alsalem) at the Human Rights Council of the United Nations Fifty-third session on June 23, 2023
- The Passing of Piqui’s Law (Keeping Children Safe From Family Violence Act) in California (Senator Susan Rubio) which goes into effect on January 1, 2024. Piqui’s Law aims to enhance child safety by prohibiting courts from mandating children into nonlicensed, unregulated services, often referred to as reunification camps. Furthermore, it mandates the development of specialized training for judicial officers in domestic violence and child custody matters, and introduces reporting requirements on their education and training. See: Full Bill Text
- The Passing of Kayden’s Law (Keeping Children Safe From Family Violence Act) in Colorado (State Representative Meg Froelich)
- The Passing of Keira’s Law in Canada. This bill, named in honor of after four-year-old Keira Kagan aims to expand training for judges to include domestic violence and coercive control. “Time is up in terms of victims of domestic violence not receiving the protection that they need, in terms of children being put into unsafe hands or into the hands of an abuser, like what happened to our daughter Keira.” — Keira’s mother, Dr. Jennifer Kagan
- The release of the Insider Mini-Documentary, The Truth Behind The Experimental Therapy That Kids Say Starts With ‘Legalized Kidnapping’
- The Introduction of Coercive Control Legislation in Massachusetts
- The Publication of Incredible Women: Legal Systems Abuse, Coercive Control, and the Credibility of Victim-Survivors
- The Publication of [Abusers’] Child and Mother Sabotage (CAMS) Article by Shera Research Group
- BBC News Special on the Family Court Crisis with Investigative Journalist Ed Thomas
- Publication of ‘Swim, swim and die at the beach’: family court and perpetrator induced trauma (CPIT) experiences of mothers in Brazil by Shera Research Group
- The ERA (Equal Rights Amendment) getting one step closer to adoption. (Yes, this absolutely matters).
- The passing of SB 741 in California (Senator Dave Min): SB 741 goes into effect January 1, 2024 and ensures that the legal system is equipped to protect survivors of domestic violence and prevent misuse of the legal process. SB 741 will reduce the risk of harassment and intimidation of domestic violence survivors, prevent unnecessary delay in adjudicating DVRO requests, and ensure that parties only use discovery when necessary and with good cause, reducing the cost and burden of discovery for parties and promoting judicial economy.
- New York Joint Public Hearing: To conduct oversight of the Family Court throughout the State, including its resources, operations, and outcomes. Watch the replay here
- The passing of Abrial’s Law (The Keeping Children Safe From Family Violence Act) in Tennessee which goes into effect on January 1, 2024.
