During a recent city meeting, Geralyn Morris, a member of Protective Parents Michigan, emphasized the critical need for reform in family court systems to better protect children from domestic violence. Acknowledging October as Family Court Awareness Month, Morris highlighted that one in three families in Michigan is affected by domestic violence, which has far-reaching implications for community health and safety.

Morris pointed out that without adequate training for family court officials on the dynamics of domestic violence, children remain vulnerable to ongoing abuse. She noted alarming statistics, including that 60% of domestic violence perpetrators also abuse their children, and that children are three times more likely to be shot at home than in mass shootings. Tragically, since 2008, 39 children in Michigan have lost their lives during custody disputes, underscoring the urgent need for systemic change.

Central to Morris's message was the proposed Cadence Law, named after Cadence Mancuso, a seven-year-old girl who was murdered by her father during unsupervised visitation, despite the father's history of abuse. The law aims to prioritize child safety over parental rights by mandating that judges consider past abuse when making custody decisions and providing funding for education on various forms of abuse, including emotional and psychological harm.

Morris concluded her remarks by urging the community to recognize the importance of these issues and to support legislative efforts that focus on child protection and judicial training regarding domestic violence. The meeting served as a platform to raise awareness and foster community connections aimed at improving the safety and well-being of children in Michigan.