FROM THE EDITOR

By PATRICE PUJOL Forman Perry Watkins Krutz & Tardy LLP

These Statistics Don’t Lie

In a study conducted in 1982, children who had witnessed their mothers being abused showed the devastating effects of domestic violence, not only as to their interaction with others, but also with regard to how they viewed themselves. Clinicians found that 53 percent of these children acted out with parents, 60 percent acted out with siblings, 30 percent with peers, and 33 percent with teachers. Sixteen percent of these children had appeared in juvenile court, 20 percent had been labeled truant, and nearly 60 percent were below average or failing in school. As to their emotional states, caseworkers characterized 40 percent as anxious and 48 percent as depressed. [Jane H. Pfouts et al., Forgotten Victims of Family Violence, 27 Social Work 367-68 (1982).] Sadly, children these days don’t fare much better.
This special issue of The Houston Lawyer examines do-mestic violence. It is aimed at educating all of us about the devastating effects of family violence, and how the law currently addresses this epidemic. In addition, the issue discusses how we as lawyers can look for signs of abuse in a reluctant client and assist that client in stopping the cycle of violence. Included in the issue is a resource guide with information on organizations that help the victims of family violence and work to educate the public about the impact of such abuse.
This issue, the brainchild of HBA President Rocky Robinson, represents a first for the editorial board – we have never before produced an issue exclusively on domestic violence. The Guest Editor for this issue, Sharon Cammack, is a family law attorney with Short & Jenkins, LLP. In only her first year on the editorial board, she tackled this difficult topic with enthusiasm and sensitivity. She also used her expertise to fashion an issue that is both informative and inspiring.
And she’s done a superb job. She coauthored an overview article that examines various aspects of domestic violence and discusses national and Texas statistics. In addition, authors Amy Allen and Susan Myres offer an article analyzing the impact of domestic violence on children. The issue also includes a roundtable discussion between community leaders, law enforcement officials, local family court judges, and family law attorneys. Their discussion on domestic violence and its impact in the various sectors of society and the judicial system is informative and, at times, alarming.
As always, our goal on the editorial board is to assist HBA members with their professional lives. We hope, however, that this special issue helps our members in their private lives as well, in making all of us more cognizant of the signs of domestic violence and, perhaps, more willing to help eliminate this problem through intervention, volunteer work and donations.

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