National Family Court Watch Project

09/23/2026

We are thrilled to have more than 100 people registered for the National Family Court Watch Project Virtual Open House—joining us from across the United States and as far away as Australia!

Tomorrow evening, Dr. Christine Marie Cocchiola will present “Coercive Control: Preventable Harm,” followed by a community discussion.

We are grateful to everyone coming together to learn, connect, and advance the protection of children and families.

September 24 | 7:00–8:30 p.m. Eastern
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/national-family-court-watch-project-virtual-open-house-tickets-1996420549606

Guest Speaker Dr. Christine Cocchiola

09/17/2026

Hello friends,
We’re excited to announce that Dr. Christine Marie Cocchiola will be the featured speaker at the National Family Court Watch Project Community Open House.
Thursday, September 24, 2026
7:00–8:30 p.m. Eastern
Virtual event
Christine M. Cocchiola, DSW, LCSW, will present:
“Coercive Control: Preventable Harm”
Dr. Cocchiola will explain how coercive control functions as a strategic pattern of abuse used to obtain, maintain, or regain power over a partner and children. She will discuss how coercive control can continue and intensify after separation, its effects on adult and child victims, and why family courts and other institutions may mistakenly characterize ongoing abuse as “high conflict.”
This event is free and open to the community.
Register here
https://www.eventbrite.com/.../national-family-court...
Please feel free to share this invitation with family, friends, and colleagues who may be interested. I hope you can join us!
All the best,
Renee Beeker
President and Founder
National Family Court Watch Project See less

09/14/2026

Hello friends,

We’re excited to announce that Dr. Christine Marie Cocchiola will be the featured speaker at the National Family Court Watch Project Community Open House.

Thursday, September 24, 2026
7:00–8:30 p.m. Eastern
Virtual event

Christine M. Cocchiola, DSW, LCSW, will present:

“Coercive Control: Preventable Harm”

Dr. Cocchiola will explain how coercive control functions as a strategic pattern of abuse used to obtain, maintain, or regain power over a partner and children. She will discuss how coercive control can continue and intensify after separation, its effects on adult and child victims, and why family courts and other institutions may mistakenly characterize ongoing abuse as “high conflict.”

This event is free and open to the community.

Register here

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/national-family-court-watch-project-virtual-open-house-tickets-1996420549606



Please feel free to share this invitation with family, friends, and colleagues who may be interested. I hope you can join us!

All the best,

Renee Beeker
President and Founder
National Family Court Watch Project

Guest Speaker Dr. Christine Cocchiola

09/13/2026

NATIONAL FAMILY COURT WATCH PROJECT
VIRTUAL OPEN HOUSE

Thursday, September 24, 2026
7:00–8:30 p.m. Eastern Time
Free Virtual Event | Registration Required

FEATURED PRESENTER

Dr. Christine M. Cocchiola, DSW, LCSW

COERCIVE CONTROL: PREVENTABLE HARM

This presentation examines coercive control as the defining pattern underlying domestic abuse. Drawing upon its theoretical roots—from Biderman’s Chart of Coercion to the foundational work of Evan Stark—Dr. Cocchiola will explain how coercive control operates as a strategic pattern of behavior used to obtain, maintain, and regain power over a partner and children.

Rather than treating separation as the end of abuse, the presentation will explore how coercive control often continues or intensifies after a relationship ends. Post-separation abuse may be carried out through legal, financial, and psychological tactics, with serious consequences for adult and child victims—including trauma bonding and disrupted attachment.

Dr. Cocchiola will also address how institutions, particularly family courts, may fail to recognize these dynamics and misidentify ongoing abuse as a “high-conflict” divorce.

ABOUT THE PRESENTER

Dr. Christine Marie Cocchiola is a nationally recognized therapist, author, parenting coach for protective parents, divorce and custody coach, and co-founder of the International Coercive Control Conference (ICCC).

With nearly four decades of experience, she specializes in supporting adult and child victims of coercive control and narcissistic abuse. Her work helps survivors navigate the challenges they face before, during, and after separation—including involvement with the family court system—and focuses on protecting children from the damaging effects of coercive control.

REGISTER HERE

Please share this free educational event with your colleagues, family, friends, and community.

08/14/2026

Did you know? Your charitable gift may now be tax-deductible even if you don’t itemize.

Beginning with the 2026 tax year, taxpayers who take the standard deduction may be able to deduct qualifying cash charitable contributions of up to $1,000 for individuals or $2,000 for married couples filing jointly.

That creates another reason to support nonprofit organizations doing work that matters to you.

The National Family Court Watch Project (NFCWP) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to independent family court observation, research, education, and collecting data that can help improve understanding of how our family courts are functioning for children and families.

Your support helps make this work possible.

Every observation creates data. Every donation helps us continue the work.

Please consider supporting NFCWP:

https://nationalfamilycourtwatchproject.org/donate

Your gift may be tax-deductible even if you don’t itemize.

Individual tax circumstances vary. Please consult your tax professional regarding eligibility.

The National Family Court Watch Project uses Paypal to securely transact our donations. Donations are tax deductible. To be deductible, taxpayers must keep rec

08/03/2026

New EVENT in September. Registration link here.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1996420549606?aff=oddtdtcreator
Join the National Family Court Watch Project for a special educational program featuring Dr. Christine Marie Cocchiola, an internationally recognized expert on coercive control.

Topic: Coercive Control and Its Impact on Children and Families

📅 Thursday, September 24, 2026
🕖 7:00–8:30 PM (ET)

Learn how coercive control affects children, families, and family court cases, and gain practical insights from one of the leading voices in this field.

We hope you will join us for this important and timely discussion.
Register today!

Guest Speaker Dr. Christine Cocchiola

07/15/2026

So true!

a good dad models respect for the mother of his child(ren).

06/09/2026

Interviewing Students for the Fall Semester Extern Program. Check with your Professor and University to become involved.

06/04/2026

Sharing from Michigan Protective Parents (Geralyn Morris)

Please fill in your Name, Email address and MICHIGAN ZIP code Please add a THANK YOU and YOUR NAME to the email, a personal note helps as well. Without this information, your email may not help the cause. Thank you!! House Bills 5211–5213, would create a presumption that 50/50 or equal custody is ...

05/06/2026

The National Family Court Watch Project (NFCWP) is currently seeking individuals interested in supporting our mission through board service.

For more than 20 years, NFCWP has worked to advance understanding of how family courts function in practice through independent courtroom observation, education, and research. Using a standardized observational methodology, we gather and analyze data to identify patterns, practices, and areas for continued discussion and reform.

We are especially interested in individuals with experience or interest in:
• Nonprofit leadership and governance
• Research and higher education
• Law, policy, or court administration
• Communications and public outreach
• Fundraising and organizational development
• Domestic violence, child advocacy, or access to justice issues

Board members play an important role in helping strengthen the organization’s long-term sustainability, visibility, and impact.

To learn more about NFCWP, visit:

The National Family Court Watch Project is dedicated to providing an impartial assessment of the effectiveness of family courts in dealing with custody, visitat