Advice : Prosecuting Domestic Violence: ‘Women and Children Fall through the Cracks’

We have Jewish clients, we have Latina, African-American, Native American, Asian, Middle Eastern, Iranian, (and) Israeli clients. One obvious (problem) is language. The other thing has to do with cultural issues. Each group has its own particular issues of not wanting to call the police. I think there are different variations (on that theme). With the Jewish community, there’s a feeling that you’re bringing shame onto your community. You’re saying a Jewish man is battering. It’s difficult for anyone, and it adds another layer. Many Middle Eastern women (have) to learn that this is not something that is acceptable, that men do not have a right to batter women.

Two big issues for us have been stalking and child stealing. The way that I would categorize it is that those two issues haven’t been taken seriously. We have clients who can’t seem to get any action. Either they’re seen as being hysterical or making a huge deal about it.

In terms of child stealing, some of the things have to do with the speed in which things are handled, really taking the woman seriously and understanding the connection between domestic violence and child stealing. The batterer is using the child to continue to get back at the woman. It’s just a continuation of the abusive relationship.

We also need advocates at each stage of the process who are dealing with the women, who are giving them information and resources, helping them understand the court system.

The other issue is lesbian and gay battering. (There needs to be) education and understanding that it goes on in the lesbian and gay communities (and it) needs to be taken seriously.