Family Courts Need Domestic Violence Experts: 20 Common Mistakes in Evaluations Judges Miss
Essay: Barry Goldstein & Veronica York in Center for Judicial Excellence
March 11, 2022
The original sin family courts made in responding to domestic violence cases was turning to mental health professionals as if they were the experts. It is not that psychologists have nothing to contribute, but they do not have the specialized knowledge of domestic violence, child sexual abuse and other critical issues. The original mistake was based on the popular assumption at the time that DV was caused by mental illness or substance abuse. We now know the original assumptions were wrong, but courts continue to rely on these outdated practices.
In one case, Barry was asked at least 15 questions about the fact he doesn’t have a mental health degree. The academic work to obtain a mental health degree does not provide any knowledge about domestic violence or child abuse. Psychologists may try to use general psychological principles, but much about DV is counterintuitive.
Read the whole article on the Center for Judicial Excellence website: https://centerforjudicialexcellence.org/2022/03/11/20-mistakes-in-evaluations-judges-miss/