County, district court commended for new family violence court
‘Domestic violence has ripple effects that have massive societal costs. We really need to, as a community, protect our children from growing up in violent homes [or] homes where parents are incarcerated if we want to make lasting change in Taos.’
The creation of a new Family Violence Court in Taos County should be applauded by all; it directly confronts the tragedy of domestic violence (DV) that has reached epidemic proportions in our communities.
Community Against Violence (CAV) has long advocated for special court oversight of cases involving DV and understanding and addressing its underlying causes by ordering closely monitored case management, accountability and coordinated responses.
The new legal entity, called the “Eighth Judicial District Taos County Family Violence Court,” will focus on people with battering (or abusive) behaviors. Offenders will go in front of the same judge and be given the option to go to jail or undergo intensive outpatient treatment and intervention programming. For the latter option, the new court will work with local behavioral health services like Golden Willow Counseling and CAV’s CHANGES battering intervention program.
Without a program like this new Family Violence Court, judges can only sentence DV offenders to time in jail, a fine and/or treatment (first-time offenses are misdemeanors and punishable by a maximum of one year in jail and/ or a fine).
“The traditional criminal justice system has not been incredibly effective at promoting justice, reducing recidivism and increasing safety,” said Taos Magistrate Judge Sara Blankenhorn, who will preside over the new court. “Domestic violence has ripple effects that have massive societal costs. We really need to, as a community, protect our children from growing up in violent homes [or] homes where parents are incarcerated if we want to make lasting change in Taos.”
In the past, Blankenhorn had extensive experience serving as legal counsel in domestic violence cases. CAV is pleased she was selected to oversee this effort because of her intimate knowledge of the challenges our communities face when confronting DV. She is also familiar with CAV’s CHANGES program, a New Mexico approved 52-session course that meets state standards of battering intervention programs (BIPs).
BIPs, like CAV’s CHANGES, view domestic violence as learned behavior and the offender’s motivation, either conscious or unconscious, to use anger and aggression as tools to gain control over their victim(s). In their push for power, the offender uses a system of power and control tactics and manipulation, involving verbal, emotional, mental and economic abuse, and physical and sexual violence.
Anger management programs are not appropriate in DV situations. They do not get to the root causes of DV; that is, the issues of power and control and one person’s need or perceived right to dominate their intimate partner/ former partner and family members. (We will discuss more on this in a future column.)
The establishment of the Taos Family Violence Court is the second such effort in New Mexico. The Bernalillo Metropolitan Court has set up a similar process that has cut DV recidivism (repeat offending) by as much as 12 percent. We believe
SARA BLANKENHORN
Taos Magistrate Judge
there will be similar results here. A more consistent, efficient judicial response to DV cases will effectively reduce recidivism by increasing offender accountability, and survivor and community safety.
We applaud the Eighth Judicial District Court and the Taos County
Commissioners for their forethought, courage and commitment to the new Taos County Family Violence Court.
Abuse, battering, and sexual assault within Taos households has been a problem in our community for far too long. It is time to reinforce our dedication to eliminating DV from our community by giving offenders a strong pathway to rehabilitate so we can all build a healthier, safer Taos.
Malinda Williams is executive director of Cowmmunity Against Violence (CAV) which offers FREE confidential support and assistance for child and adult survivors of sexual and domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, and child and elder abuse; community and school violence prevention programs; re-education groups for people using power and control in their relationships; counseling; shelter; transitional housing; and community thrift store. To talk, or get information, call CAV’s 24-hour helpline at 575-758-9888 or visit TaosCAV.org.