#United States #Washington, D.C. #Family Court #Bandy Lee #Bruce Fein

National Conference to Address Family Court Violence

On November 11, 2025, the National Press Club Ballroom in Washington, DC, will witness a historic gathering aiming to confront an alarming epidemic: the systemic violence embedded within Family Courts across the United States. For the first time, state legislators, legal and medical experts, journalists, and former victims of Family Court will come together under the sponsorship of the Institute of Forensic Science to shed light on the dire consequences of these secretive judicial proceedings.

Family Courts, intended as safe havens for vulnerable children and families, have increasingly become spaces rife with judicial misconduct, various injustices, and, in some tragic cases, lethal repercussions. Millions of families have been traumatized as these courts have strayed from their original protective roles, leading to a crisis where safeguarding children's rights is overshadowed by systemic flaws in the judicial process. The conference will focus on bringing necessary reforms, fostering accountability, and re-establishing the courts as instruments of justice rather than harm.

The keynote speaker for this significant event will be Bruce Fein, a highly regarded attorney recognized for his work in constitutional and human rights. He will be joined by Dr. Bandy Lee, a renowned forensic psychiatrist and public health advocate who is orchestrating the conference. Dr. Lee emphasizes the importance of transparency in courts, stating that the imposition of gag orders and court seals has transformed Family Courts into unregulated environments detrimental to public health and safety.

In her words, "Courts are open in a democracy for a reason. The closed nature of Family Courts has contributed to a public health crisis of human harm." This gathering represents a call to action, aiming to underline the need for judicial reform and heightened awareness about the pervasive issues within these courts.

The institute asserts that the current practices, often leading to the wrongful separation of children from supportive, loving families and placing them in the arms of known abusers, have become a disturbing trend. This institutional practice, said to be driven by profitability, demands urgent scrutiny and public consciousness to avert what could potentially save tens of thousands of children every year.

The upcoming conference seeks to lay the groundwork for a full Congressional Hearing regarding Family Court abuses, building on the growing momentum from various state legislatures that are already conducting hearings on the human impact stemming from Family Court decisions. Participants can register through Eventbrite, and media professionals are particularly encouraged to cover this vital discourse.

This discussion is not merely academic; it carries the weight of lived experiences and urgent pleas from those who have suffered the fallout of these judicial systems. The time has come for a comprehensive national dialogue on Family Court reform—a dialogue that aims to establish a Uniform Family Court Code that prioritizes children’s safety and well-being above all. The risks of inaction are stark, and the stakes couldn't be higher.

As we await this pivotal event, the hope is that the voices gathered in Washington will spark a necessary transformation in how Family Courts operate, ensuring that future generations may grow up in a justice system that truly protects and serves them. It’s more than just a conference; it is a crucial step towards healing and reform, framing a narrative that demands accountability and heralds a new era of safety and protection for families across America.