In OZ ~ 'No excuse' for family law shake-up

It appears common sense may prevail in Australia given the Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS) have researched and found some non-partisan, non-ideological factors in favour of shared parenting. They have indicated they have found no correlation between violence and shared parenting, there has been a 22% reduction in court cases, and the practice of shared parenting is widely supported. 

The review, spread over two years involved 28,000 people, including 15,000 parents and  for most people it worked well.  It shows 80 per cent of parents are co-operating.

The AIFS is a world renowned organization whose role is to give non-partisan, non ideological advice on family matters.  We need an equivalent one in Canada to get us out of the Feminist dominated rhetoric of men being abusers and unsafe to share parenting. The trouble may arise in the legislature where Australia has a socialist bleeding heart government in power who typically bow to the feminist lobby within their ranks for fear of being cast as an abuser and of course whatever voting power they have.

Chisholm the ex judge appears to be a chivalrous drone and thinks violence or at least its propensity is worthy of spending more money.  The proportion of violence relative to the population of married couples and even those divorcing is minuscule but these useful idiots of the feminists give it much greater credence that it deserves. 

In Canada out of a million couples (2 million people) 999,997.7  females do not kill their male spouse and 999,992 males to not kill their female spouse. Do we make laws for the 999,990 plus people who are not a problem or the tiny fraction who present perplexities to the system, and in turn, penalize the majority.  If we make laws focusing on the tiny minority very few people could drive, get married, have children,  find a decent job, or live any kind of high quality life free of nanny state intervention.  It is one thing to take away points on a drivers license for using a cell phone or texting while operating the vehicle, quite another to deny a parent from legal involvement and maximum time with their genetic progeny. There can be nothing more personal or devastating to a rational human to be denied this right because of gender.


In any assessment, if violence is suspected or alleged, an investigation should occur. If the allegation is false the instigator should be charged criminally and primary custody of the children given to the parent who was falsely accused.  In Australia as in the USA the person most likely to kill or harm the child is the single mom, either alone or in concert with a boyfriend/new partner.MJM

By Sabra Lane for AM

Posted Sat Jan 30, 2010 11:25am AEDT
Updated Sat Jan 30, 2010 11:59am AEDT

A Family Studies Institute report found a drop in the number of cases going to court. (stock.xchng: Asif Akbar)

• Audio: Opposition cautions against Family law changes (AM)

The Federal Opposition has warned the Government against making changes to family law that alter the principle of giving children the right to a meaningful relationship with both parents in the case of divorce or separation.

In 2006, the Howard government introduced major changes to Australia's family law system, putting an emphasis on shared responsibility for separating parents.

This week, three reports were released on how the laws were working. The reviews were conducted by the Australian Institute of Family studies, the Family Law council and former judge, Professor Richard Chisholm.
The Family Studies Institute found a 22 per cent drop in the number of cases going to court.


But Professor Chisholm found many people wrongly believe the changes mean that separated fathers were automatically entitled to 50-50 custody of their kids.

The professor says the laws are confusing and troublesome, but Shadow Attorney-General George Brandis disagrees.

"The report by Professor Chisholm does take a fairly tendentious view of the operation of the 2006 reform," he said.


The Government says it is considering an information campaign to clear up misunderstanding, but Senator Brandis says he gives more weight to the report published by the Australian Institute of Family Studies.
"What the Australian Institute of Family Studies found was that the principle of shared parental responsibility is widely supported; that in general the 2006 reforms have worked well," he said.

"The Australian Institute of Family Studies found ... 'There is no evidence to suggest that family violence and highly conflictual inter-parental relationships are any greater in children with shared care time than for children with other care time arrangements'.

"So there seems to be something of a difference of emphasis, if not a conflict, between Professor Chisholm and Australian Institute of Family Studies."

Senator Brandis says the release of the reports does not justify a change in direction for family law.

"[They] should not be used by the Government as a pretext or an excuse to walk away from the principle that every child has a right to a meaningful relationship with both parents on the occasion of family breakdown, while always maintaining, as has never been in doubt, the paramount interests of the child as the first consideration."

The reviews were handed down nearly 12 months after four-year-old Darcey Freeman was allegedly thrown off Melbourne's West Gate Bridge by her father.

Professor Chisholm has recommended every case before the Family Court should automatically be assessed for violence risks and that the court be given adequate resources to do the job.

The chief justice of the family court, Justice Diana Bryant, issued a statement welcoming that finding.

The Attorney General's office was asked about the recommendation for resources. A spokesman for Robert McClelland says the court already receives $2 billion in Commonwealth funding, but that it will be considered.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/01/30/2805599.htm?section=australia

Marriage breakups, family feuds can leave older generation estranged from grandkids

This is a case of Parental Alienation but shows its impact on Grandparents. Many family members are affected including the target parent, his brothers and sisters and parents plus other extended family depending on the age of siblings. The first comment following the article sums the issue up succinctly and poignantly.MJM

 

 

 

By Jim Gibson, Canwest News Service

 

Grandparents will wait out the estrangement, hoping it will get better on its own, something Brooks has seen happen occasionally in her 23 years with the society.

Photograph by: Photos.com, canada.com

Once again, Christmas came and went without Phyllis Coutts seeing two of her nine grandchildren.

It's a situation shared by unknown numbers of grandparents, often the collateral damage in marriage breakups and family feuds.


It's been over a decade since Coutts last saw the children from her son's broken marriage. Photos from their early grade-school years still line her home, along with updated ones of their cousins.


By now, her grandson would be well into his teens, and his sister, in her early 20s. They live only a neighbourhood or two away, according to Coutts, who lives in Victoria.


"I would love to see them," the 78-year-old says.


The question hangs in the air: Why hasn't she?


"I never go where I'm not wanted," Coutts says.


Her response is not uncommon, according to those who deal with estranged grandparents.


Weighted down by hurt and bitterness, these situations become entrenched, according to Barb Whittington, a University of Victoria social work professor whose research and counselling focuses on grandparents.


Grandparents worry that anything they might do to see the grandchildren could make a bad situation worse.

"They don't want to cause trouble," says Joan Brooks, the great-grandmother who heads the Ontario-based support group, Grandparents Requesting Access and Dignity (GRAND) Society.


Grandparents will wait out the estrangement, hoping it will get better on its own, something Brooks has seen happen occasionally in her 23 years with the society.


Many grandparents blame themselves for what happened.


People such as Whittington, Brooks, and family counsellor Jayne Weatherbe hear heartbreaking tales of estrangement.


"The cruellest thing is when the grandparent has lost a son or daughter, and access is denied them to the grandchild," Brooks says.


Some grandparents even drive to their grandchildren's schools, just to catch a glimpse, Whittington says.

And it's not always a former in-law; even a grandparent's own son or daughter could be denying access to the child, according to Weatherbe.


"It's a different world now," Weatherbe says, alluding to changes in parenting styles. Once-acceptable corporal punishment has given way to timeouts. Today's parents often hold firmer beliefs on such issues as diet, Weatherbe says.


"It's their life. It's their choice. You just suck it up and be supportive of (the parent)," Brooks says. Further, she advises, "Stay in the grandparent role; if they ask for advice, give it. Otherwise, stay quiet."

Both Brooks and Whittington agree that the grandparent seeking visitation might well have to take the first step.

Try a phone call, Whittington says, something along the lines of, "I'd like to talk to you, the children, or both."

Brooks recommends a letter to the child's parent, stressing a willingness to see the grandchild on the parent's terms and conditions. She also suggests writing, "If I said or did something, please give me a chance to correct it."


If sending a letter, always write two drafts, Whittington adds. Edit out any traces of bitterness.


One alternative is to find an intermediary in the community whom the estranged person might trust, "not someone who will just take your side," Whittington says.


Groups such as Brooks's are helpful, but not available in many communities.


There are non-profit organizations that counsel grandparents. Often, however, groups such as Parents Support Service and Families in Transition deal with situations far more complex than just grandparent visitations.


"People often do call us as a place to start," Parent Support Services Society of B.C. executive director Carol Ross says from Vancouver. After some conversation, callers are referred to such resources as social services or the soon-to-be discontinued LawLine.


Many of Brooks's generation prefer to talk their way to a settlement rather than use the courts.


Yet it's not uncommon for a separation agreement to allow a grandparent access, according to family lawyer


Trudi Brown. She cites, for example, a parent whose work keeps him away for long stretches. Under an agreement, grandparents could piggyback on the absent parent's access time.


Grandparents can apply for access under the provincial Family Relations Act, Brown adds, either doing it themselves or hiring a lawyer. However, today's court schedules can leave such a case lingering for months before being heard, she says.


Ultimately, the court decides on what is best for the child.


Some grandparents assume older children just don't want to see them, or they would do so on their own, according to Whittington.


What they often don't understand is that teens, in particular, are so absorbed in their own world, they don't readily think of others.


Conversely, the child might assume a grandparent isn't interested. Whittington cites one grandmother who sent the kids birthday and Christmas presents by taxi, only to have their mother return them the same way.

"The kids never knew the grandmother was trying," Whittington says.


One of Whittington's favourite reconciliation stories involves Canada's national game.


Just to see their grandson, the paternal grandparents would go to his hockey games, sitting on the opposite side of the arena from the estranged former daughter-in-law's family. The young player finally had enough, complaining he was getting whiplash from looking from side to side.


"I need you all on one side," he told them. They moved closer and closer until, eventually, they sat together, Whittington says.


Victoria Times Colonist
jgibson@tc.canwest.com

© Copyright (c) Canwest News Service

Comments:

M. Saunter

January 31, 2010 - 10:47 AM

 Marriage Breakup and generations, grandparents and grandchildren, and other cousins and aunts and uncles are left out of the life of the child.  I had to go to Court in Alberta for access and got it.  As a mother of five, I wanted access to my grandson as the daughter-in-law refused with always saying 'later'.  She was totally unreasonable and refused any of the dad's family to see the young boy.

The mom made many false accusations toward me in the Court Room and the judge told her she was a very angry woman and this child was of mixed heritage and should know both sides of the family; therefore, I got access.

The mother still tells the child the following:   he has no dad,  I am only his grandmother only when he is with me, but not other times, mom refuses to allow the child to take home presents or even a piece of paper or a candy, and  appears to be now saying at 11 the child is telling me all the bad things that went on in the divorce, and now that I'm controlling their life and the mom needs to get my approval on his life.  This is extremely confusing, upsetting and horrible for my grandson as he is now blaming me for controlling his mom!

All  are false allegations from the mom provoking alienation from grandson to dad's family.  He told his uncles he only needed to see them once or twice a year.  The mom has him lie as we wanted to watch him play soccer and it is only for his mom and him only.  We said we wanted to be his fans and cheer for him!

My grandson cries as the hatred she is creating in this beautiful child is causing emotional problems for my 11-old-precious grandson.  He said to me, how do I know you are not telling lies!  Do I show the Court Order where the rules are laid out that the mom is to drive him here for visits as the mom said I am controlling her life?

It takes about 60 minutes for my grnadson to settle in and he starts closing down about 60 before leaving.  He said he wants to keep coming; the mom told my daughter the child now makes his own decisions.  I asked him what decision he makes and he said his mom makes all his decisions as he was unaware of the mom's conversation prior.

Alienation stories usually about the paternal parent must stop in Canada!  False allegations against fathers and grandparents must stop in Canada!

Please Judges, listen and please start prosecuting the false allegations and lies against dads and grandparents in the Court Room.  If alienation continues after any Court Orders it should cost free to bring these issues back into the Courts for the benefit and best interests of the child as growing up with emotional hate imprinted into the minds and hearts of children used as prawns should be stopped in Canada.

My grandson should have access, visits to and from, phone calls to and from, his father's side of the family in the same manner that he has access and freedom from the mom's family and friends.  The paternal side has been treated with lies, hatred and alienation,  rather than a loving family with compassion and kindness and fellowship with the child within a family.

Thank you for allowing me to share our pain of not knowing any other info other than the few hours of visits in which the child is brow-beaten before and after the visit as to what we said and did and what he should not say!  Sad!

Margaret Saunter, Edmonton, Alberta,
PS Please keep reporting family alienation; it is child cruelty!

http://www.vancouversun.com/life/Marriage+breakups+family+feuds+leave+older+generation+estranged+from+grandkids/2499100/story.html

Female sexual abusers not as rare as widely believed

Female abuse is far more widespread than shows in the MSM and I am of the opinion is often suppressed as it causes dissonance to the chivalrous drones and victim oriented feminists (3rd wave tribe) out there who don't want to have to deal with it. Gosh she is a pervert they say, it must be an aberration and then sweep it under the carpet. There are a great many abusers who have lost custody of their children, take on a secret identity on the internet and then blame men and judges for all their problems while demonstrating the very traits that lost them custody. Some have identifiable mental health disorders.They are a vile lot unfit to be parents.

Its typically the most egregious cases that get prosecuted and in the news.  Click the link to the Female Sexual Abuse Blog in the left sidebar to get info on those females involved in the justice system and their crimes who make it into the MSM.


Here is the sweet young thing Elizabeth Lambert but if you watch the video following she puts most men to shame with her bevy of dirty tricks.  She may not be a sexual abuser but she can dish out physical abuse of a very nasty and sneaky kind that has few equals.

MJM

Sarah Sacheli, Canwest News Service  Published: Friday, January 29, 2010

WINDSOR, Ont. -- She gave him life and was the only parent he ever knew. In the way she snapped photos of him sleeping and playing happily, she was like any other adoring mother. But she also committed unspeakable acts to his little body, turning him into a human sex toy in her pornographic broadcasts.


The set of facts involving the Windsor-area mother who sexually abused her two-year-old son horrified both those involved in the case and those who'd only heard about it.


"Society expects the mother of a toddler would do everything in her power to make sure her child is protected from harm," said the judge who on Friday handed the 24-year-old woman a 3 1/2-year prison sentence.


He called her crimes "appalling" and "abhorrent."


While female sexual abusers are rare in the court system, those who deal with child sexual abuse know the woman is not unique. She may be the first Ontario woman to be jailed for making child pornography featuring her own offspring, but she's not the first mother to sexually abuse a child.


A national study released in 2005 shows that biological mothers were the perpetrators of sexual abuse in 5% of the substantiated cases investigated by child welfare authorities.


The instance is probably higher, since researchers are certain that many cases of child sexual abuse never come to light. "A lot of people have difficulty believing women are capable of sexually abusing children," said social worker Angela Hovey, whose doctoral thesis deals with a topic related to this theme.


Even victims of such abuse, looking back at it as adults, have a hard time talking about it.


In her past employment in federal prisons, she would ask inmates about any sexual abuse in their past. "Many men had been abused by women." The problem, she said, was "they often had more difficulty identifying it as abuse."


A U.S. report, entitled "Child Sexual Abuse -- The Predators," explains it this way. "Mothers generally have more intimate contact with their children, and the lines between maternal love and care and sexual abuse are not as clear-cut as they are for fathers."
Therefore, the report says, "Sexual abuse by mothers may remain undetected because it occurs at home and is either denied or never reported."


Hovey says it's hard to get accurate data on the prevalence of female sex offenders, much less women who abuse their own children. The best information, she believes, may come from victims themselves.




A 2003 U.S. study questioned a random sample of adults to determine the prevalence of childhood sexual abuse. It found that of the 32% of females and 14% of males who identified themselves as victims, 9% of women and 39% of men said they had been abused by at least one female.


While figures are usually inflated, studies of male sex offenders show 45% to 50% were themselves victims of sexual abuse. Hovey is researching counselling practices for women survivors of sexual abuse to see if they should be asked if they've ever in turn abused anyone. She saw it in her private practice -- women sexually abusing children.


"Do I think it happens a lot more than we hear about? Absolutely," said Bill Bevan, executive director of the Windsor-Essex Children's Aid Society -- which sees two or three such cases each year.


Most don't end up in prosecutions because the young victims aren't capable of testifying. "It could be a teacher. It could be a sister. It could be a babysitter. It could be a mother with her child."


Society kids that teenage boys abused by women are somehow "lucky" and females, by nature, are too nurturing to commit such an offence. In any case of child sexual abuse, there's "kind of gender bias" that automatically excludes women from suspicion, Bevan said.
"It's not the first place you look. It's the father figure you look at first."


Canadians think of female sex offenders, and their minds automatically turn to Karla Homolka who, with her then husband, Paul Bernardo, abducted, sexually abused, tortured and murdered female victims, Bevan said.


"On the other end of the scale is where the female in the caring role takes in a partner who is abusing the child.... Some mothers might be kind of looking the other way."


Justice Kathryn Feldman, in a Jan. 18 Ontario Court of Appeal case, said the Internet is providing greater opportunity to produce and distribute images of child abuse.


"The victims are innocent children who become props in a perverted show, played out for an ever-wider audience not only of voyeurs but of perpetrators," Feldman said of a case involving a father who sexually abused his daughter and distributed the images over the Internet.


"The predominant offender in Internet child exploitation is males," said Windsor police Det. Jason Belanger. "They're out there, but if you do get a female offender, you're surprised."
Canwest News Service

Read more: http://www.nationalpost.com/news/canada/story.html?id=2501531#ixzz0eD89d7Vt
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