REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Proclaim Family Court Awareness Month
Report
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION
November is Family Court Awareness Month. The month of November provides an excellent opportunity to demonstrate support in recognizing the importance of a family court system that prioritizes child safety and acts in the best interest of children.
During the inaugural Family Court Awareness Month (2020), the top advocates in the family court system joined forces in a united effort to honor the 758 children who had been murdered by a separating or divorcing parent (2008-2020, Center for Judicial Excellence).
This collaboration was organized by Tina Swithin of One Mom's Battle and Sandra Ross of California Protective Parents Association. Joining in this awareness campaign was The National Family Violence Law Center, The Court Said USA, Kayden's Korner Foundation, Kyra Franchetti Foundation, Pollack Group LLC, Center for Judicial Excellence, and the Stop Abuse Campaign.
Efforts to coin the month of November as Family Court Awareness Month received recognition and endorsements from California Congresswoman Judy Chu, Senator Susan Rubio, and Assemblywoman Blanca Rubio.
Currently, many families in our community are struggling in silence and facing the reality that child safety is not being prioritized. Our family court system lacks the proper training on domestic violence, childhood trauma and post separation abuse. In fact, many are shocked to discover that most states do not have domestic violence training requirements prior to a judicial officer presiding over family court cases and ultimately, determining the fate of innocent children. In the states that do have requirements for domestic violence training, it is very minimal.
On October 26, 2021, the Santa Clara City Council will proclaim the month of November 2021 as Family Court Awareness Month.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
This is an information report only and no action is being taken by the City Cou...
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