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Landmark
Legal Decisions and Legislation
- In
May, 1996, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court decided Custody
of Vaughn. Vaughn requires judges to produce detailed findings
of fact regarding the effects of domestic violence on children
and the parent's ability to parent.
- In
1997, the Massachusetts legislature passed a law (M.G.L. ch.208
§ 31A), which created a rebuttable presumption against an
award of sole or shared custody to an abusive parent when a probate
court finds that a pattern or serious incident of abuse occurred.
Innovative
Programs
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The Family Advocacy Program and The Child Witness to Violence
Project at Boston Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, have
joined together to form the Domestic Violence Guardian ad Litem
Project. The project joins a mental health professional and an
attorney to carry out the investigative responsibilities to the
courts. This interdisciplinary approach draws on the skills of
the clinician and attorney to ensure that critical information
about domestic violence is identified and brought to the court's
attention in an accessible manner. Contact Information: Anne Gillespie
at: angilles@bu.edu
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The Criminal History Systems Board Victim Service Unit provides
post-conviction assistance to victims of crime. The unit certifies
victims, witnesses, family members of homicide victims, parents/guardians
of minor aged victims, as well as "citizens in fear"
to be notified when an offender is going to be released from prison.
The Victim Service Unit also certifies victims, witnesses, family
members of homicide victims and parents/guardians of minor aged
victims for access to CORI documents regarding the case that pertains
to them. Information, resources, referrals, crisis intervention,
and safety planning assistance are also provided as needed. All information is provided
free of charge.
Contact Information: Marissa Cutts, Director
Criminal History Systems Board
Victim Service Unit
200 Arlington Street, Suite 2200
Chelsea, MA 02150
Phone (617) 660-4690
Fax (617) 660-1090 or (617) 660-4613
- The Children's Advocacy Center
of Suffolk County is an independent, non-profit agency which will
assist children and families when child abuse is reported. They
will coordinate investigations and do assessments and case planning
in one safe, child friendly location.
Contact information: Children's Advocacy Center of Suffolk
County, Inc.
One Bulfinch Place
Boston, MA 02114-2915
Phone: (617) 619-4276
Links to
Local Sites - coming soon!
Links to
National Sites
- coming soon!
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