“In my state I do not recall a circumstance…where a law of this kind interfered with the rights of a parent in a way that seemed like it was out of keeping, but if you’re familiar with such, let us know.‖Mitt Romney, presidential candidate and governor of Massachusetts, 2003-2007
“The continual use of some men’s groups to spout bogus facts and statistics is a problem we need to correct…[the idea] that men are falsely accused of domestic violence and lose contact with their children unjustly as a result…is not accurate…just the opposite is true.”–Rita Smith, Executive Director, The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence
We’ve often discussed the way restraining/protection orders based on false allegations of domestic violence are frequently used to separate fathers from their children. At a recent New Hampshire gathering, fatherhood activist Richard Smaglick asked presidential candidate Mitt Romney about the problem.
In response, Romney, who was governor of Massachusetts from 2003-2007, said that he could not recall a circumstance where such a thing had occurred, but said, “If you’re familiar with such, let us know.”
We appreciate Romney’s offer, and will take him up on it. If you have had your parental rights interfered with because of a restraining order or a false allegation of domestic violence, please send me your name, phone number, and a brief (100 words max) description of yourself by clicking here. We have a method of getting the letters to Romney.
Since Romney is running for national office, we are looking for people from all over the United States.
Again, if you have had your parental rights interfered with because of a restraining order or a false allegation of domestic violence, click here.
To watch the video of Romney’s response, click here.
To read a Washington Post reporter’s take on it, click here.
To read Rita Smith’s press release criticizing the fatherhood movement, click here. Romney is under fire from Smith and the NCADV because he fumbled Smaglick’s question regarding the Violence Against Women Act.
To learn more about how innocent men are victimized by domestic violence restraining/protection orders and the domestic violence system, see my co-authored column Biden’s Misguided S1515 Will Exacerbate Domestic Violence System’s Problems (Philadelphia Daily News, 12/7/07).
