Deborah: solutions-based reporter, child advocate & coach.
As one of the world’s most experienced parents and as a seasoned child advocate, Deborah lifts up the voices of children and parents through compelling and accurate storytelling, reporting not only in public journals but also as a mandated reporter when there is evidence of child abuse or even exploitation that is being missed by authorities. In these roles, Deborah engages people across society to become a part of the solution to problems holding children and families back when conflict strikes and courts become involved.
Deborah founded Navigating Justice to kindle hope and ignite empowerment among parents, children and grandparents and within communities of professionals serving families involved in litigation. Deborah is committed to motivating our next generation of legal and psychological professionals to be high achievers in resolving conflict in a way that truly supports safe and healthy parent-child relationships, protects children, and helps families recover as quickly as possible from conflict and court involvement.
This mission began in 2008 when Deborah discovered through a review of case files retrieved from her divorce law firm that the damage done to her and children was a) intentional, b) avoidable, and c) directly caused by unethical behavior by the professionals, lawyers and a psychologist. The professionals increased their profits by being dishonest with her and by keeping her and her children exposed to unsafe conditions and toxic stress when they had the opportunity, means, and the duty to protect. The pattern of misconduct that surfaced in the study of these case records is one of several patterns followed by professionals who exploit, manipulate and endanger for increased profits, vulnerable parents and children.
Since then, through coaching, reporting, and other types of intervention, Deborah has been able to reduce suffering and loss for many children and protective parents. In some cases, because family members were referred to Deborah early enough in the process, loss and trauma were avoided completely. What has been documented since 2008 is that it is possible to change the course of conduct in professionals and family members to improve outcomes for children and safe, available parents.
A longer discussion is needed to unravel the problems that created this unsafe environment in our family courts, but for now, please pay attention to your local judicial elections, note which law firms and lawyers are donating to judicial campaigns, ask questions, and VOTE. Justice is possible – it just takes more effort and investment than anyone outside of the legal system could possibly imagine.