Thank you for visiting one of my two official websites. My other website is at: www.thejuliettegilbertassociation.com.
Published Author
Social Worker - 30 years
Former Commissioner on the Washington State Child Support Schedule Commission (an appointment by The Governor)
Advocate for non-custodial mothers and their related issues - 24 years
Child Abuse Prevention Educator - especially in regard to abusive techniques such as Parental Alienation and Hostile-Aggressive Parenting, how abusers get custody of children and Trauma Bonds
Children's Rights Advocate - for the human rights of children to know and love both fit parents and have them in their lives
Founder/Executive Director of The Juliette Gilbert Association for the Prevention of the Parental Abduction of Children
Former Newspaper Reporter/Correspondent - 6 years
I am familiar with all of the games, shenanigans, money flow, "Court Appointed Psychological Evaluations" Guardian Ad Litems (GALs) and other components that comprise the "Child Custody Industry." My education is priceless. I will speak of what can happen in Family Court- to warn you and increase awareness. I have been called "Family Court's worst nightmare." Family Court "professionals" would not want you to talk to me.
As one who watched in horror as a loved one was placed in the custody of an abuser, my work has purpose and personal meaning. All Guardian Ad Litems must be held accountable and responsible for their decisions, as anyone else. They are supposed to protect children- not place them in danger. The now adult "child" videotaped the abuse- which I have seen, which consisted of his father swinging a baseball bat at him. There were also incidents that involved being shoved into a sliding glass door, having a gun shot at him, being humiliated while in the shower, and being severely alienated against the other parent. The Guardian Ad Litem continuously fought to place the child in danger- quickly "choosing sides." She would only listen to one parent.- the one that had a history of violence, an explosive temper and drug addiction. She forced the child to go with the abuser for over a week. The child was so traumatized and fearful that the child did not utter a word the entire time. Ruth Gould of the King County CASA Program was the Guardian Ad Litem listed in the public court record.
Studies show that batterers are able to convince authorities that the victim is unfit or undeserving of sole custody in approximately 70% of challenged cases. (From the Mothers of Lost Children website)
Fathers who batter mothers are two times more likely to seek sole physical custody of their children than non-violent fathers. (From the Mothers of Lost Children website)
Thank you for your kind words and support. Judging from my daily mail, there is MUCH pain out there and MUCH harm/abuse being done to our children. In recent years, I have had the honor of seeing parents write books about their own stories. The key is education! We must help others to understand this journey so hopefully, their children will never have to endure this. I was the Feature Editor of my high school newspaper, when I interviewed Jimi Hendrix's family (at the time of his death) and the late, legendary Country guitarist, Chet Atkins. For two years, I wrote a monthly column for the Northwest Voice entitled Broadcast House. I interviewed and featured radio and television personalities throughout the greater Seattle area. My once sole Social Work career has taken more of a turn into Journalism. This comes with writing about today's social issues- the parental abduction of children, teen pregnancy, non-custodial parents, child custody "battles," domestic violence, etc. I always strive to help others. The Lord above me, my love for my children and The School of Life have been my greatest inspirations!
Through my enormous grief, I celebrate the reconciliation my father and I timely experienced, prior to his June 4, 2010 death. I give the glory for this to God! It was a journey that humbled me beyond words. A dear friend told me at the time, to remember that love transcends all. This is so true. I am also a better person for having known my BEST friend of 40+ years- Sheila Sharkitt of Muncie, Indiana, also Juliette Gilbert, Guitarist/Physician Jim Coleman of Nashville, TN, and Private Investigator Michael Starosky of Seattle, Washington. Although they are no longer on this earth, I always carry them in my heart.
Remembering Juliette
June 28, 2010 marks the third anniversary of the death of Juliette Gilbert. If you recall, Juliette abducted her son because she said she had to protect him from abuse. She also said she was abused, but the professionals would not "believe" her. I cannot help but recall the past three years and the many people who took time out of their busy lives to contact me. There were former colleagues, and close friends from one end of the world to the other. Some sent pictures. Others shared personal stories of how Juliette impacted their lives. All had one thing in common: Juliette touched their lives in a positive way. They will never forget her. I learned that she had asked for help regarding the abuse, even much earlier than I had known. Her life, actions and death serve as bold reminders that there is a lot of work to do for these children and families.
The following comment was made at Juliette's sentencing:
"In some ways it would almost be appropriate to sentence you to three years," Kitsap County Judge Karlynn Haberly told Juliette. Three years because that's how long Juliette kept her son away from his father.
My response to this:
Is "turn-about fair play?" Some say this would be equivalent to using the child to then "punish" the mother. How would this be BEST for this child? How would it make his life stable? Hadn't he been through enough? Who is really being punished here? Isn't a workable solution needed? I would have been more concerned with how these two parents were going to co-parent this child to the age of 18. Two wrongs don't always make a right.
I still shudder at the subtle alienation that occurred after Juliette returned to the U.S. from New Zealand and did everything “legal” she was required to do. She served time for Custodial Interference, reported to Probation, admitted she was wrong, sought counseling, obtained employment and kept trying to see her son. Why, in the two years and two months until her death, did she not see her son – even in a supervised, monitored setting? Why is parental alienation somehow more acceptable when “the professionals” do it? This is a tragedy and an outrage, yet it serves as a classic example of the depth of a mother’s love and her determination to protect her child. No one “won” so please do not send me further, ridiculous emails implying there was a winner. This was a lose-lose situation all the way around….especially for a son who will miss his mother everyday for the rest of his life.
Prior to her death, Juliette was looking forward to contacting an official International Star Registry and naming a star in honor of her son.
From Courageous Kids Network: www.courageouskids.net
Some of us whose mothers tried to protect us from abuse, did not see our mothers for years, or were only allowed to see our mothers under oppressive supervised visitation orders. We were not allowed to hug our mothers, or talk about how we felt. Some of us were separated from siblings, grandparents and extended family. We lost our home, pets, toys, friends,… our childhood. We lived in fear, depression, hopelessness and helplessness for years. Some of us ran away from our abusers. Some could not handle the trauma and committed suicide.
We who survived, got older and stronger. Now we are telling the world how much we were hurt, first by our abusers and then by the court that refused to protect us.
We, the Courageous Kids Network, are a growing group of young people whose childhood was shattered by biased and inhumane court rulings, which forced us to live with our abusive parent, while restricting or sometimes completely eliminating contact with our loving and protective parent. We know how horrible it is to be forced into the arms of an abuser. We have been there. We are now free. We have some suggestions for you who have to live with a batterer or molester because an attorney, an evaluator, a mediator, or a judge did not believe you. Contact us at www.courageouskids.net from a safe computer (your friend, school, library) and post a blog on our messageboard with your name, age, school, and what you have suffered. Mail pictures of your bruises or other pictures to P. O. Box 1903, Davis, CA 95617. Keep telling people about the abuse. Don’t stop, no matter what. Tell someone new at least once a month. Tell your teacher. Tell your principal. Tell your school counselor. Tell your coach. Tell your therapist.
Please remember that in Parental Alienation, the alienator uses the child as a weapon to be used against the targeted parent and a tool to make the alienator feel emotionally complete.
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