Domestic Violence and the Law

Abstract:     
This essay reflects on the family law practitioner's response to domestic violence issues over the past few decades. The author notes some progress while remaining deeply concerned that many lawyers have yet to embrace even the most basic tenets of victim safety and offender accountability. The result is that much the same focus and discourse must continue into the next century, albeit with a generally more informed bar. Lawyers' efforts must focus on the means of a coordinated community response to prevent and, when necessary, intervene effectively in violent incidents. Such efforts must balance victim safety with the offender's civil liberties, carefully weighing the state's interest in averting family violence.

Accepted Paper Series