Authors: Carrie Cuthbert, Monica Ghosh Driggers, J.D., Kim Slote, Rita Sikhondze

This packet of materials is intended for use by individual domestic violence survivors in conjunction with the report Battered Mothers Speak Out: A Human Rights Report on Domestic Violence and Child Custody in the Massachusetts Family Courts. For over three years, the Battered Mothers' Testimony Project used human rights as a tool to examine the difficulties faced by the Massachusetts domestic violence survivors who seek custody of their children in family court. We had an overwhelming response from survivors, many of whom have contacted us for help with their cases. Unfortunately, we are not legal advocates, and can not offer legal advice or counseling services. Still, we hope to help the many survivors who find themselves feeling alone and helpless as they struggle with difficult court cases. This resource packet is a compilation of all the information that we have on the resources available to you. We hope that you study the packet thoroughly and that you are able to make good use of these resources. We also hope that you will reach out to other survivors to advocate for change in the family court system and have dedicated the last section of this packet to giving you tools to help you in that effort. PLEASE REMEMBER that this packet should be used in conjunction with our report Battered Mothers Speak Out: A Human Rights Report on Domestic Violence and Child Custody in the Massachusetts Family Courts. The packet is not intended to substitute for legal representation or professional counseling services.

Project: Womens Rights Network