Court Watch Committee
Return to Starting a Family Violence Task Force
Goal: FVTFs should create a committee to enhance information sharing and improve domestic violence system processes within their local community.
Objectives:
1. FVTFs should track domestic violence cases as they move through the system and observe and record points at which cases might fall through the cracks of the system.
- FVTFs should create a court watch program for their local judicial system. The following are questions that could be considered during a court watch program:
- Are batterers being ordered to FVIP,
anger
management
, or nothing at all? - Are ex parte orders and Temporary Protective Orders accessible to victims?
- Are repeat offenders being sentenced accordingly?
- Are Judges asking batterers to surrender their firearms?
Court Watch Resources:
- FVTFs should consider conducting a safety audit. In depth information about safety audits can be found at Praxis International.
2. FVTFs should use the results of the court watch program and/or safety model to develop information-sharing protocols for agencies involved in responding to domestic violence.
3. FVTFs should consistently evaluate the effect and impact the protocols have on family violence victims.
Return to Starting a Family Violence Task Force