A.G. Plans Safe Haven For Domestic Violence Victims

State of UT, Oct 28, 2004

     Attorney General Mark Shurtleff announced today a new project to provide a safe haven for domestic violence victims and children caught in the crossfire of custody and visitation battles. Using a $111,000 grant from the Department of Justice and the Violence Against Women Office, Utah plans to create a safe place where all victims can leave their children for visitation with the non-custodial parent.
    
 

Existing visitation and exchange programs charge a flat fee or require parents to participate in mediation-both barriers for many victims. The Safe Havens grant requires that any fees charged be based on a victim's income and prohibits mediation as a condition of eligibility.
     


"Many victims face emotional and physical abuse every time they drop off their children for visitation," said Attorney General Mark Shurtleff. "This service will make it possible for a victim to comply with custody arrangements and allow the other parent to see their children without putting anyone in harm's way."
  
   

A 1997 study found that an estimated 60,000 women and 144,000 children live with domestic violence in Utah. Nine percent reported their abuser used the children against them-by making them feel guilty about the children, using them to relay messages, using visitation to harass them or threatening to take the children away. An additional 33 percent reported knowing a friend or a family member whose children were used against them.
    
 

The two-year grant will fund a project coordinator and related expenses to research successful centers in other states and arrange to meet Utah's needs. The coordinator will seek additional funding and partnerships to establish a center, most likely in Salt Lake County. Efforts will also be made to provide services in rural areas.
    
 

"This will be a place where families can have safe visits and work towards lives without violence," said Judy Kasten Bell, Chair of the Utah Domestic Violence Advisory Council.
    
 

The project will be supervised by the Attorney General's Office. Partners include the Utah Domestic Violence Advisory Council, the Administrative Office of the Courts, the Legal Aid Society of Salt Lake, the Utah Association of Family Support Centers, the YWCA of Salt Lake City and South Valley Sanctuary.