Victims of Dr. Richard Lawlor Support Group

Does one need to be created?

We are amazed at the number of people coming to this website accessing the posts on Dr. Richard Lawlor. More so than anyone else ever posted about.

Have you had dealings with Dr. Lawlor? Let us know at "missingmychild@gmail.com" and we will see if there is a need to start a group!

There's Nothing Friendly About Abuse

From the current issue of Ms. Magazine:

Children are at risk when custody cases rely on a meritless theory of parental "alienation"

by R. Dianne Bartlow


It's a statistic so unbelievable that it's difficult to wrap your head around: A research review by lawyer and domestic violence expert Joan Zorza found that in about half of the 100,000 contested child custody cases each year in the United States, custody goes to the father - even though at least one-third of these fathers reportedly committed domestic violence against the mother or the child. In fact, women are actually more likely to win custody if they do not allege abuse.

The force behind these rulings are the innocuous-sounding "friendly parent" statutes on the books in at least 32 states, which mandate that courts, in deciding custody, consider how willing each parent is to facilitate a "close and continuing" relationship between the child and the other parent. This is one factor in determining what custody arrangements are "in the best interests of the child."

"Friendly parent" statutes are a dressed-down form of a theory called Parental Alienation Syndrome. PAS theorizes that most accusations of child abuse (especially sexual abuse) made during a custody battle are actually fraudulent. Not only are the charges false, says the theory, but they are deliberately undertaken by one parent (in most cases, the mother) to "alienate" the child from the other parent (generally, the father).

Never mind that the American Psychological Association has said PAS has no valid merit, nor that PAS inventor Richard Gardner has also said that society "overreacts" to sexual abuse and that pedophilia is an honorable lifestyle choice. PAS lives on in "friendly parent" statutes and in the testimony of many court-appointed evaluators and mental-health professionals. Those who diagnose PAS often recommend that full custody go to the "alienated parent" (usually the biological father) and that unsupervised visitation with the "alienating parent" (usually the mother) be cut off.

Ultimately, these outmoded ideas maintain their grip because of a long-standing tradition of discrediting women's concerns and believability in comparison to men's, wrote Zorza in Domestic Violence, Abuse and Child Custody (Civic Research Institute, 2010). Their effect is to lend powerful leverage to abusers.

"Severely abusive fathers may deliberately escalate their abuse to force the woman to complain, flee, or bargain away valuable marital assets, alimony or child support. They then retaliate by filing for custody, knowing they will likely be able to deprive the mothers of the children," writes Zorza. "Other abusive fathers use the "friendly parent" concept to force the mother to pay them child support and to deprive her of any visitation."

The consequences can be dire. According to the Center for Judicial Excellence, a court advocacy organization, an estimated 75 children nationwide were murdered between June 2009 and April 2010 by abusive fathers who won custody battles.

Currently, about half of the states in the U.S. have laws requiring courts to consider domestic violence on an equal basis with factors such as "friendly parent" statutes when making custody determinations. But family courts have wide discretion in how heavily to weigh domestic violence. The National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges and the American Bar Association recommend that abuse be given more consideration than other factors in custody cases - and that courts withhold sole or joint custody from anyone with a history of domestic violence.

It's high time for parents and the public to know what's going on in these situations, says Barry Goldstein, co-editor of Domestic Violence, Abuse, and Child Custody: "I believe that if the public was aware of the frequency in which courts make fundamental mistakes and send children to live with abusers, the practice would quickly end because it would not be tolerated."

R.Dianne Bartlow, PH.D., is associate professor of gender and women's studies at California State University, Northridge.

Parental Alienation Syndrome: Just How Gullible Do They Think We Are?

From RightsForMothers.com:

August 22, 2009
Parental Alienation Syndrome: How Gullible Are We?

Up for inclusion in the new DMS (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, the most widely used psychiatric reference in the world) is the so-called “Parental Alienation Syndrome,” a syndrome invented by the pedophile-loving psychologist Dr. Richard Gardner, who committed suicide eventually. Also up for inclusion again is making women’s menstral cycles a pyschiatric syndrome.

Money-grubbing nutcase lawyers and/or psychologists (in some cases they have both degrees!) work to get these so-called syndromes included so they can use them as a basis for taking children from protective parents (and make more money). They use this twisted science as a basis for their claims…just how gullible do they think we all are? Apparently many judges are, and the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges are trying to correct this: see Family Courts are Warned They Should Not Accept So-called “Parental Alienation Syndrome”.


Here is a good example of how gullible people can be when you start throwing out so-called “scientific claims”:

A student at Eagle Rock Junior High won first prize at the Greater Idaho Falls Science Fair, April 26. He was attempting to show how conditioned we have become to alarmists practicing junk science and spreading fear of everything in our environment. In his project he urged people to sign a petition demanding strict control or total elimination of the chemical “dihydrogen monoxide.”

And for plenty of good reasons, since:

1. it can cause excessive sweating and vomiting 2. it is a major component in acid rain 3. it can cause severe burns in its gaseous state 4. accidental inhalation can kill you 5. it contributes to erosion 6. it decreases effectiveness of automobile brakes 7. it has been found in tumors of terminal cancer patients

He asked 50 people if they supported a ban of the chemical.

Forty-three (43) said yes, six (6) were undecided, and only one (1) knew that the chemical was actually just plain old water.

The title of his prize winning project was, “How Gullible Are We?”

He feels the conclusion is obvious. http://www.snopes.com/science/dhmo.asp

A Society Illusively Fixated on Fatherhood

Written by Randi James

This is in response to Hopes rise for progress on fatherhood woes.

President Obama is seen as key figure in campaign to promote responsible dads because he has been a target: a target of the idea of "Responsible Fatherhood" that originated in Illinois (and Indiana):

He is a past co-sponsor of an ambitious fatherhood bill that Democrats Sen. Evan Bayh of Indiana and Rep. Danny Davis of Illinois plan to reintroduce in conjunction with Father's Day. Many of its provisions are aimed at removing barriers that deter noncustodial fathers from providing financial support to their children.

These men are not well-intentioned. They could give a flying fuck about the needs of Black families, especially women and children. They illustrate Black matriarchal families as the epitome of all of societal ills, citing deceptive research that talks about father absence and sex, incarceration, education, self-esteem, etc. This is crafted in order to continue to subjugate White women...all women.

The "Responsible Fatherhood" money (Courtesy of the Administration of Children and Families ACF) is supposed to be used to help men improve themselves economically, for the betterment of their children. And many of us support this idea. However, when this money is being used to help fathers gain access to their children via joint custody and custody switching (from mothers), we must question the motives.


90FR0025
RESPONSIBLE FATHERHOOD: CLASSES WITH INCARCERATED FATHERS. CONCURRENT WORK WITH MOTHER/CARETAKER OF CHILD, TO LEARN RESPONSIBILITY
ACF
ACF
$441,387


How does decreasing or eliminating child support benefit children of poverty?

How does establishing or maintaining a relationship with a previously/currently violent father benefit children with emotional problems?

How does alternating custody benefit children with stability and attachment issues?
And much more...

The Black communities have a multiplicity of needs that stem from the intersection of the -isms. We are not well-served by simple notions, especially those that are held by people not vested in our best interests.

"No one objects to responsible fatherhood," said Kim Gandy, president of the National Organization for Women. "What we object to is the use of very limited welfare funds that are needed for the support of children being diverted into job training and other programs for fathers that are not available to the mothers."

Joshua DuBois, director of the White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships, said Obama's record on women's rights should help ease any concerns over his interest in fatherhood.

"The president has been such a solid supporter of women's issues," DuBois said. "They know he's not going to do anything to compromise the position of women in their families, and that trust is key in the search for common ground."

Interesting. Notice the lack of the use of the word "mother." When does society talk about mothers, only on Mother's Day? Where in the Whitehouse.gov literature are mothers' issues addressed? This is very telling.

Apparently, women and mothers are indistinguishable--fathers and men are not. If President Obama really wanted to help families, he would establish policies that create stability for children in their current arrangements. Regulating the family through Fatherhood Initiatives is a joke, unless it involves re-framing the negative ideas that many men have about women, mothers, and caretaking.

Some like to speak about how Black men disrespect their own women in their music lyrics, video, and literature. However, these attitudes do not operate inside of a vacuum--they are reflective of society at large. This pitting Black men against Black women serves the agenda of men like Bayh and Leving. We know we have all this booty shaking and titties in the videos, we're addressing it. But who's doing something about all of these homicides and familicides, mostly committed by White men?

It is our greatest hope that President Obama is as intelligent as we thought he was when we voted for him. Not all of us want a dog, a two parent male/female household, and a white picket fence. Fatherhood can't even exist, without Motherhood.


List of Award Numbers, Award Title, OPDIV, Program Officen, and finally Sum of Actions (our tax $$$):

90FR0093
PROMOTING RESPONSIBLE FATHERHOOD
ACF
ACF
$ 450,000
90FR0093
PROMOTING RESPONSIBLE FATHERHOOD
ACF
OFA
$ 225,000
90FR0082
PROMOTING RESPONSIBLE FATHERHOOD- PRIORITY AREA #3
ACF
ACF
$ 450,000
90FR0082
PROMOTING RESPONSIBLE FATHERHOOD- PRIORITY AREA #3
ACF
OFA
$ 225,000
90FR0079
PROMOTING RESPONSIBLE FATHERHOOD
ACF
ACF
$ 499,104
90FR0079
PROMOTING RESPONSIBLE FATHERHOOD
ACF
OFA
$ 249,552
90FR0060
PROMOTING RESPONSIBLE FATHERHOOD
ACF
ACF
$ 449,416
90FR0060
PROMOTING RESPONSIBLE FATHERHOOD
ACF
OFA
$ 223,808
90FR0031
PROMOTING RESPONSIBLE FATHERHOOD
ACF
ACF
$ 2,000,000
90FR0031
PROMOTING RESPONSIBLE FATHERHOOD
ACF
OFA
$ 1,000,000
90FR0104
PROMOTING RESPONSIBLE FATHERHOOD
ACF
ACF
$ 474,640
90FR0010
PROMOTING RESPONSIBLE FATHERHOOD
ACF
ACF
$ 652,110
90FR0008
PROMOTING RESPONSIBLE FATHERHOOD, PRIORITY AREA 3
ACF
ACF
$ 500,000
90FR0007
F&CS PROMOTING RESPONSIBLE FATHERHOOD PROJECT
ACF
ACF
$ 460,000
90FR0004
HEALTHY MARRIAGE AND RESPONSIBLE FATHERHOOD PROJECT
ACF
ACF
$ 956,109
90FR0103
HSI RESPONSIBLE FATHERHOOD LEVEL 1 - A COORDINATED EFFORT TO RECRUIT AND ENROLL FATHERS AND EDUCATE THE COMMUNITY ABOUT
ACF
ACF
$ 1,500,000
90FR0101
IDOC APPLICATION FOR THE PROMOTING RESPONSIBLE FATHERHOOD GRANT FOR THE PREP PROGRAM
ACF
ACF
$ 798,740
90FR0098
PROMOTING RESPONSIBLE FATHERHOOD COMMUNITY ACCESS PROGRAM
ACF
ACF
$ 1,900,000
90FR0097
PROMOTING RESPONSIBLE FATHERHOOD
ACF
ACF
$ 922,924
90FR0095
PROMOTING RESPONSIBLE FATHERHOOD
ACF
ACF
$ 950,000
90FR0094
PROMOTING RESPONSIBLE FATHERHOOD
ACF
ACF
$ 440,184
90FR0092
PROMOTING RESPONSIBLE FATHERHOOD
ACF
ACF
$ 694,061
90FR0091
PROMOTING RESPONSIBLE FATHERHOOD
ACF
ACF
$ 1,450,442
90FR0088
PROMOTING RESPONSIBLE FATHERHOOD, COMMUNITY ACCESS PROGRAM
ACF
ACF
$ 2,000,000
90FR0086
PROMOTING RESPONSIBLE FATHERHOOD COMMUNITY ACCESS PROGRAM
ACF
ACF
$ 1,998,000
90FR0085
PROMOTING RESPONSIBLE FATHERHOOD COMMUNITY ACCESS PROGRAM
ACF
ACF
$ 4,000,000
90FR0084
PROMOTING RESPONSIBLE FATHERHOOD
ACF
ACF
$ 1,000,000
90FR0081
PROMOTING RESPONSIBLE FATHERHOOD
ACF
ACF
$ 407,588
90FR0080
PROMOTING RESPONSIBLE FATHERHOOD
ACF
ACF
$ 462,500
90FR0077
PROMOTING RESPONSIBLE FATHERHOOD
ACF
ACF
$ 561,660
90FR0075
PROMOTING RESPONSIBLE FATHERHOOD
ACF
ACF
$ 452,000
90FR0073
PROMOTING RESPONSIBLE FATHERHOOD
ACF
ACF
$ 870,000
90FR0072
PROMOTING RESPONSIBLE FATHERHOOD
ACF
ACF
$ 500,000
90FR0070
PROMOTING RESPONSIBLE FATHERHOOD
ACF
ACF
$ 388,998
90FR0069
PROMOTING RESPONSIBLE FATHERHOOD
ACF
ACF
$ 486,488
90FR0068
PROMOTING RESPONSIBLE FATHERHOOD
ACF
ACF
$ 975,000
90FR0067
PROMOTING RESPONSIBLE FATHERHOOD
ACF
ACF
$ 1,000,000
90FR0066
PROMOTING RESPONSIBLE FATHERHOOD
ACF
ACF
$ 738,664
90FR0064
PROMOTING RESPONSIBLE FATHERHOOD
ACF
ACF
$ 310,000
90FR0063
PROMOTING RESPONSIBLE FATHERHOOD
ACF
ACF
$ 450,000
90FR0062
PROMOTING RESPONSIBLE FATHERHOOD
ACF
ACF
$ 464,203
90FR0059
PROMOTING RESPONSIBLE FATHERHOOD
ACF
ACF
$ 852,000
90FR0058
PROMOTING RESPONSIBLE FATHERHOOD
ACF
ACF
$ 500,000
90FR0057
PROMOTING RESPONSIBLE FATHERHOOD
ACF
ACF
$ 436,671
90FR0056
PROMOTING RESPONSIBLE FATHERHOOD, PRIORITY AREA 3
ACF
ACF
$ 465,533
90FR0055
PROMOTING RESPONSIBLE FATHERHOOD
ACF
ACF
$ 400,000
90FR0053
POMOTING RESPONSIBLE FATHERHOOD
ACF
ACF
$ 500,000
90FR0052
PROMOTING RESPONSIBLE FATHERHOOD
ACF
ACF
$ 350,000
90FR0050
PROMORING RESPONSIBLE FATHERHOOD
ACF
ACF
$ 847,712
90FR0049
PROMOTING RESPONSIBLE FATHERHOOD
ACF
ACF
$ 1,000,000
90FR0045
PROMOTING RESPONSIBLE FATHERHOOD
ACF
ACF
$ 462,000
90FR0044
PROMOTING RESPONSIBLE FATHERHOOD
ACF
ACF
$ 824,000
90FR0043
PROMOTING RESPONSIBLE FATHERHOOD
ACF
ACF
$ 463,999
90FR0042
PROMOTING RESPONSIBLE FATHERHOOD
ACF
ACF
$ 1,410,000
90FR0040
PROMOTING RESPONSIBLE FATHERHOOD
ACF
ACF
$ 500,000
For more info on fatherhood drivel, see: this, and click on some of the posts categorized below.

Maternal Deprivation: Something Indiana's Judges Just Don't Get

Harlow's monkey's....he was on to something...too bad the Family Court Judges and Whores of the Court here in Indiana JUST DON'T GET IT, children need their mothers.

An Indianapolis Mother Continues Her Search For Justice, Part 3

From The Indianapolis Recorder:

Indianapolis mother Tracie Nelson’s fight to regain custody of her daughter has been difficult, and the concerns she has raised could place select individuals in the Marion County court system on the defensive. Nelson, however, maintains that every motion filed in court and every complaint presented to various agencies has only been used for the best interest of her daughter, Kay (Not her real name. The Recorder does not publish names of minors in court cases.)

Nelson insists her goal is to have Kay removed from the home of her father, who was questioned for (but has never been charged with) sexual abuse. At the least, she would like more visitation with her seven-year-old child. “I’m not out to try to hurt or anger anyone,” Nelson says, holding back tears. “All I’m asking for is justice and safety for my beautiful daughter. I raised Kay from her birth until she was taken, and she and I have a special bond that can’t be erased.”

As written in previous segments of this series, Nelson said her main obstacle to getting a fair assessment of her situation was conflict of interest in local paternity and civil courts, allegedly due to close ties between particular judges and the attorney of her ex-boyfriend.However, Nelson is also disappointed with the assistance she has received from individuals charged with ensuring the protection of children.

Specifically, she is unhappy with Kay’s Guardian Ad Litem. The guardian ad litem is a person asked by the court or attorney to represent a child and independently assess their needs during a legal dispute between parents. At the request of Nelson’s attorney, a guardian ad item was appointed for Kay. According to public records, Nelson recently filed a petition for the dismissal of that guardian ad litem, Denise Hayden.

Nelson says she has information that Hayden had served as a pro tempore judge in a court case involving her custody dispute, and therefore cannot be impartial. She also claims Hayden has refused to return her phone calls, has not actually spoken with Kay since July and refused to recommend counseling for the girl following allegations of abuse. “If there were nothing to hide, what would it have hurt?” said Nelson.

Nelson said she asked Hayden’s attorney, Claire Deichman to appoint another guardian ad litem but was told another was not available. Neither Hayden nor Deichman could be interviewed. Inquires were directed to Kid’s Voice, a not-for-profit organization that provides representation for children, as well as parent-child visitation, programs for volunteers serving at-risk youth, and legal resources for attorneys.

Nelson said Kid’s Voice is a good organization, so she can’t understand why Kay couldn’t get another guardian ad litem. Eddie Rivers, CEO of Kid’s Voice, said he could not talk about any case publicly, but said he hoped a misunderstanding about a single person will not tarnish the reputation of well-meaning volunteers with the organization who work hard to protect children.
“We are asked to provide information for judges in a manner that shows no prejudice against either parent. Our main goal is to take care of the child and look at what we can do to help them,” Rivers said. Kid’s Voice has a staff of five attorneys who are responsible for different programs, as well as a team of volunteers.

“People choose to serve as a guardian ad litem on a volunteer basis, and we train our volunteers extremely well before we let them work with children,” said Rivers. “We conduct background checks to prevent any possibility of conflict on interest. We take that seriously.”

Nelson also says the Marion County Department of Child Services (DCS), which is part of the Indiana Department of Child Services, has not stood up for the protection of Kay. DCS had been contacted twice to file reports of sexual abuse, after the girl gave details of how she was allegedly touched to a forensic interviewer and detective. In January 2008 a CHINS (child in need of services) case was filed to investigate, and Kay was moved from the father’s custody to her grandmother’s home temporarily pending the investigation. Two month’s later however, the CHINS investigation was suddenly dismissed, and custody of Kay shifted back to the father.
Nelson said at first DCS joined her in expressing surprise when the CHINS case was suddenly dismissed without a fact-finding hearing, which is required by law. She was hoping that after its review, DCS would support her in demanding a strong investigation of the abuse allegations and call for the removal of Kay from the father’s home.

But Nelson is upset that following a review last month, DCS determined that abuse allegations against the father are “unsubstantiated,” and the fact that the courts dismissed the CHINS case, even though the case was dismissed by a judge accused of conflict of interest.

At the same time, the review said concerns about Nelson fostering an endangering environment for Kay are “substantiated,” adding that being at the center of a custody battle and hearing damaging accusations could impact Kay’s mental stability. “They are letting the person who is hurting my child get away, but they’re trying to penalize me for fighting,” said Nelson.

Ann Houseforth, director of communications for DCS, said she can’t speak specifically about anyone’s case, but explained that since 2006 the agency has reviewed cases using a procedure under CAPTA (the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act). When a report of abuse or neglect is made, the agency goes to a child’s home to determine their safety. Different individuals and experts familiar with the case are interviewed about the allegations.

A report is then issued that will either substantiate or unsubstantiate the allegations. Individuals unhappy with the report can ask for information to be removed through a review process or administrative trial. However, even if a parent has negative information substantiated (upheld) against them, it does not mean an automatic change in custody.

“If you have a substantiation on your record, it wont mean that your children will be permanently taken away from you or that you can’t get them back,” said Houseforth. “They may be removed temporarily until conditions improve, but the parent will not lose them forever.”

Houseforth said DCS also works with community service organizations to help parents provide a more healthy and safe environment for children. In addition to requesting a new guardian ad litem, Nelson is trying to get her case assigned to a new court.

Nelson’s family is hopeful that such action will be another step taken to get Kay home. Minnie Blaylock, Nelson’s mother and Kay’s maternal grandmother, describes her granddaughter as smart, funny and genuinely interested in connecting with other people.

Blaylock says it doesn’t make sense that she and Kay are in the same city, yet haven’t seen each other in months. (Nelson can have paid supervised visits with Kay, but Blaylock and anyone else from Nelson’s family are not authorized to participate.) “We are being penalized because we are trying to protect her,” said Blaylock. “What kind of justice is that?”