Thank you for visiting one of my two official websites.  My other website is at: www.thejuliettegilbertassociation.com. 

 I am a:

- Newspaper Reporter

- Published Author

- Social Worker 29 years

- Family Law Advocate/Volunteer 23 years

- Former Commissoner on the Washington State  Child  Support  Schedule Commission  (an appointment by The Governor)

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. 

 Educator of:

•     Parental Alienation (PA)
•     Hostile Aggressive Parenting   (HAP)
•     How abusers get custody of children
•     Trauma bonds 

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)

Founder/Executive Director 

of

The Juliette Gilbert Association

for the Prevention of the Parental Abduction of Children

 Books:   The Fourteen Year Hour

              But It Only Happened Once

First and foremost.....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! 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

www.thejuliettegilbertassociation.com 

June 28, 2009 marks the second 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 could not help but recall the past year 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?"   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.