The National Family Violence Law Center is the first national organization to
specialize in the intersection of adult and child abuse in the family and its implications for courts.
NFVLC provides pioneering quantitative and qualitative research, training and education, state and federal policy development and technical assistance, and selective litigation.
In this period, we have been receiving some questions about funding and want to let you know that the Center’s funding is secure. We do not receive federal grant dollars; the Center is supported entirely by private donations. Thank you so much to all who contribute! You make our important work possible!
Funding for VAWA Title XV The Keeping Children Safe from Family Violence Act (aka “Kayden’s Law”) was authorized by Congress in 2022. You can read the funding authorization details in the law here. Note that it is common that appropriations for federally authorized funding does not occur until (several) states have become eligible as set forth in the law.
Thank you for supporting our ongoing system change work at NFVLC for increased justice and protections for vulnerable children and their safe parents. You can make a contribution to National Family Violence Law Center at GW here!
The National Family Violence Law Center in Action
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Research
The Center develops, disseminates, and promotes pioneering quantitative and qualitative research on key issues affecting gender-based violence and children’s safety in court.
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Policy
The Center designs and promotes evidence-based policy proposals to overcome barriers and improve judicial outcomes for survivors of family violence.
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Advocacy
The Center engages in selective federal and state policy work to implement child-protective measures by filing amicus briefs in the Supreme Court and other courts in high-impact litigation to advance legal precedent.
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Education & Training
The Center offers public and professional education through in-person and online training, publications, media, and professional presentations.
Survivor Statements to Law Makers
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New Hampshire Testimony
“In the institution of family court, we are often preoccupied with the notion that parents have rights to the presence of their children, even then a parent has proven to be abusive…that’s not really reunification, that’s coercion.”
On April 18, 2024, attorneys and advocates in New Hampshire spoke out for children before lawmakers on a bill restricting “reunification treatments/camps”. In her testimony Sarah referenced a current court case as an example of how these #familycourt cases play out, often with the children crying out and resisting being forced to “reunify” with a parent they fear and who abused them/their safe parent.
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Maryland Testimony
“The family court system did not protect me [from my dad], my mom did.”
Child survivor Nora tells Maryland House Judiciary committee how the MD #familycourt failed to protect her and her sisters from their sexually abusive dad and instead ordered them into parenting time with him, where he continued to abuse them. The abuse only stopped when he was caught sexually abusing a child who was not his biological child and he didn’t have custody rights to.
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Pennsylvania Testimony
“The family court system made me go back and live with my abuser…This might take weeks, months, or years to change. But no matter what, this has to change.”
On November 29th, 2023, child survivors from the City of Pittsburgh spoke out about the preventable abuse they’ve endured for 7 years and why states need child-centric reforms like Kayden’s Law.
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Ohio Testimony
“Nothing for my children was brought to justice. Nobody was there to protect them...My children aren’t here anymore because this whole system failed.”
On May 24, 2022, Ohio lawmakers heard testimony opposing 50/50 custody bill HB 508. NFVLC submitted opposing testimony. Kellie Elliot became one of the leading advocates for the bill, after her estranged husband murdered her children, Caleb and Grace, in January 2022.
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Montana Testimony
"When my father could no longer physically access my mother, he turned his unhealthy attention to us kids. He would hurt us in strange ways because he knew that would be a way to continue to hurt my mother. It's called #PostSeparationAbuse."
On February 7th, 2023, a child survivor from the state of Montana spoke out about the preventable abuse he endured and the eventual murder of his sisters by his father, who was counseled in the “Parental Alienation” tactic.
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New York Testimony
“I kept thinking about all the institutions who failed to help him, who completely did absolutely nothing. Now everybody is trying to do the right thing. But where were you when I begged you for help? When you could’ve saved my child’s life?”
Despite filing countless official complaints, detailing the dangers of her former partner, Justyna Zubko-Valva was ignored. In January 2020, Justyna’s 8-year-old son, Thomas, was murdered by his father and stepmother. As punishment, Thomas had been forced to sleep in the garage, with no blanket, on a 19 degree night; he died of hypothermia. Justyna has since tirelessly advocated for reforms to the family court system.
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Arizona Testimpony
“The only way I could escape was when I turned 18 and I left on the day of my 18th birthday...My brother Marcus is still gone and he is stuck in my abusive father's care.”
On March 30, 2023, the Arizona House of Representatives heard testimony from child survivor Victoria Nielsen, who spoke of her traumatizing experience in a “reunification-camp” and at the hands of her father.
Creating and Advocating for Laws that Protect Children and Families.
Creating and Advocating for Laws that Protect Children and Families.
