RADAR ALERT:
RADAR's New Signature Report: "Erring on the Side of Hidden Harm"

RADAR is proud to announce a new line of reports, the RADAR Signature Reports. Unlike RADAR's Special Reports, the RADAR Signature Reports will be attributed to particular authors. RADAR invites writers of journal-quality material to submit articles for consideration.

The first report in this new series is "Erring on the Side of Hidden Harm: The Granting of Domestic Violence Restraining Orders," by David N. Heleniak, Esq. (http://www.mediaradar.org/docs/RADARsignatureReport-ErringOnTheSideOfHiddenHarm.pdf) The article, originally published in the journal Partner Abuse, argues the following:

"In deciding whether to enter a domestic violence restraining order, many judges think about their careers in addition to the merits of the cases before them. While the damage to parent-child relationships and to children's mental health caused by the overzealous entering of restraining orders is seldom if ever reported by the media, the harm caused by overtly violent acts following the failure to enter restraining orders most certainly is. In regards to restraining orders, the phrase 'erring on the side of caution' is often invoked. It is more accurate, however, to characterize the judge's behavior as 'erring on the side of hidden harm.' Rather than judges, juries — one time judicial actors — should decide when domestic violence restraining orders are warranted."

Please read the report and share it with anyone you think might find it interesting.

Thank you for your continued support.

Date of RADAR Release: August 3, 2010

R.A.D.A.R. – Respecting Accuracy in Domestic Abuse Reporting – is a non-profit, non-partisan organization of men and women working to improve the effectiveness of our nation's approach to solving domestic violence. http://www.mediaradar.org