Last week the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges heard from Jaycee Dugard, who was kidnapped and held captive for years, about the lasting affects of trauma and the importance of a well-educated judiciary.
"Jaycee Dugard's comments really stressed the importance of judges not only understanding the law, but the science and the impact of trauma for children, families and survivors, and how trauma is unique for everyone," said Joey Orduna Hastings, CEO of the NCJFCJ. "There's no one way to address it; you need to understand the science of brain development, child development, exposure to violence and substance abuse, and create a safe environment for children and families to be heard."
Creating that environment is much more of a challenge during a pandemic, where most cases are being heard virtually.
Child abuse and domestic violence cases are historically under-reported, but courts have seen an increase in these types of complaints recently, and know that there are more cases than aren't being reported due to some of the financial hardships and mental health issues that are a by-product of the times.
"It's hard when people aren't going to work or school, so the people we serve are even more hidden," Hastings said. "It's already hard for someone to make that filing for a domestic violence case, and that exacerbates this whole situation, with some people not being able to access resources or have contact on a regular basis. We've heard and understand the cases are rising, so when the courts re-enter some level of normalcy, we're preparing the judges and courts to handle the backlog of cases we're anticipating, once the courts open and we see the children and families again for the first time in almost a year."
Hastings says the pandemic has encouraged more of a deep dive into how the courts can modify traditional operations to better meet the needs of children and families in a more expedited way.
"We just want to make sure we continue to put on the forefront the importance of understanding trauma and the needs of children and families we see and don't see," she said. "And to be able to ask the questions and make the inquiries to make sure everyone is getting what they need during this pandemic, whether it be economic, social or mental health, and that well-being needs are being met."
To read the statement pertaining to safe courts and access to justice during the pandemic issued by the NCJFCJ click here
