Bogus "experts" weigh in on visitation with violent criminals: Can't we just say no? (Toledo, Ohio)

It would be nice if newspaper articles came with truth in advertising disclaimers.

First of all, the "Children's Rights Council" is not a children's rights organization at all. It's a fathers rights organization that has always privileged the rights of fathers over everyone else.

In addition, these boondoggle visitation centers are great money pits for all the people who run them, and nothing but a pain for everybody else. Either a parent is safe or not. If in doubt, then cut off the contact until the parent's safety can be proven. There is no reason to expose children to up to 18 traumatic years of forced visitation with an abuser--all while some clueless supervisor looks on. No doubt a charming sociopath is also doing his best to convince the supervisor that all the allegations are "lies" and that he's being unfairly "alienated" from his child by the vindictive mother. And then before you know it, these idiots have been recruited into helping dad get more access (unsupervised of course), or even full custody. It is no secret that these centers have become known as custody switch centers.

In addition, supervised visitation doesn't even guarantee that a child won't be abducted or otherwise directly endangered. Here's just one example off the top of my head:

http://dastardlydads.blogspot.com/2009/12/why-was-abuser-dad-allowed-supervised.html

So it doesn't surprise me in the slightest that a so-called "expert" with the CRC can express "sadness" about dad JOHN SKELTON's presumed murder of his three sons, but no real outrage. There is no call to really protect children, which would involve the elimination of violent criminals from the lives of children. No, the "expert" calls for "supervised" visitation with the violent criminal, all while they're bankrupting parents and the courts for their "services."

Just say no.

http://www.wtol.com/Global/story.asp?S=13593175

Amid Morenci search, expert advises on custody disputes
Posted: Dec 01, 2010 3:06 AM CST
Updated: Dec 01, 2010 3:10 AM CST

By Jonathan Walsh -
Posted by Lisa Strawbridge

TOLEDO, OH (WTOL) - The Children's Rights Council provides a safe place for parental visitation when custody becomes an issue during or after divorce.

Margaret Wuwert is the national leader for the chapter in northwest Ohio. She says she's very saddened about the case involving John Skelton and his three sons.

"We want to make sure the kids are safe and that they do get to see both parents," Wuwert said of her organization.

The purpose of the council is to provide divorced parents or single parents with a safe way to have visits with children.

A room is provided for the custodial parent to drop off their children. Then 15 minutes later, the other parent comes in to spend time with the kids. She says there are no confrontations among the parents, and the kids just play and enjoy their time with mom or dad.

She says 90 or 95 percent of parents using the program think it's a good thing. She adds there are so many emotions involved in a divorce. Then economic stress and even the arrival of the holidays can add to those emotions. Wuwert suggests parents always think of the kids first.

The Children's Rights Council of Northwest Ohio has 20 rooms available. It serves 80 families a month with each session lasting three hours.

As sad and difficult as the Skelton story is to hear, Wuwert hopes it's at least a wake-up call for adults who may be feeling some of the same emotions involved with the Skelton case.