Part 2: LEGAL READINESS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE VICTIMS FOR COURT EP 107 

HOST: Beverly Price, Divorce & Empowerment Coach 

GUEST: Joni Jones and Lawrence Jones, Experts in Domestic Violence 

SUMMARY: 

There is a lot of trauma, shame, and mixed emotional response that comes with domestic violence, and emotional and legal readiness for court is paramount for domestic violence victims seeking justice and protection. Being ready to accept domestic violence, whether emotional or physical, as abuse is key to confronting trauma, guilt, shame, and anxiety associated with court proceedings. In this episode of Her Empowered Divorce, your Host, Beverly Price, talks to Joni Jones and Lawrence Jones, experts on both the emotional and legal aspects of domestic violence. Together, they discuss the emotional readiness of domestic violence victims for court to provide you with the tools you need to emotionally and legally advocate for yourself and get the protection and justice you deserve. Do not condone domestic violence by your silence. 

ABOUT OUR GUEST: 

Lawrence R. Jones

Lawrence R. Jones retired from the New Jersey Judiciary in 2017 after serving the public as a Superior Court Judge. During his time on the Bench, he served as the President of the New Jersey Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges and authored over 60 opinions on novel issues of law, including significant published and unpublished opinions on issues of domestic violence and dating violence (IPV). Judge Jones also served as a member of the faculty of New Jersey’s Judicial College and was the creator and co-presenter of the Judiciary’s 2016 program, “Harassment: Drawing the Line between Domestic Disagreements and Domestic Violence.

In 2020, Professor Jones was one of the featured speakers at the New Jersey State Bar Association’s presentation on “Economic Abuse as a Form of Domestic Violence.” During National Domestic Violence Awareness Month 2022, he appeared as a guest speaker on the television program New Mexico in Focus, presenting on issues concerning domestic abuse and legal/social aspects of Congress’s reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA 2022). In 2022, the New Mexico Supreme Court appointed Jones as the Vice Chair of the statewide Commission on Alternative Dispute Resolution. 

Jones is also a certified economic mediator in New Jersey in matters with active restraining orders in place. He presently practices mediation and dispute resolution and now resides with his wife in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where he will be teaching at the University of New Mexico this fall.

JONI JONES 

JONI JONES is a registered nurse, board certified in psychiatric and mental health nursing, who retired from the New Jersey Board of Nursing. In 2013, Joni was the recipient of the Elizabeth Kellogg’s Award for Excellence in 5 Nursing. Joni presents extensively on various social issues, including mental health, domestic violence, and children with autism spectrum disorder. 

Joni is one of the original founders of Parents of Autistic Children (POAC) and has presented before the Autism Society of America and the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts on autism-related issues. She is also a former certified developmental disabilities nurse. From 2002-to 2009, Joni worked with multiple major league baseball teams to create the first-ever "Autism Awareness Day" games hosted by the New York Yankees (the Florida Marlins, the Pittsburgh Pirates, and the (then) Montreal Expos. She was previously a certified instructor in Mental Health First Aid, has authored numerous published articles on mental health-related issues, and received a New Jersey certification in crisis intervention.

Joni is the co-author of “10 Basic Principles of Cultural Competency (BCPP): A Starting Point for New Mediators”, which was presented at the 2021 Academy of Professional Mediators program on Mediation and Autism Spectrum Disorder and at the 2021 New Jersey Association of Professional Mediators’ inaugural forum on cultural competency. She is also the author of a new children’s book, “The Invisible Hurt,” which addresses the relationship between a young child and a parent with mental health challenges. Joni recently relocated with her family to Albuquerque, New Mexico, and has been appointed to U.S. Senator Ben Ray Lujan’s Mental Health Consortium.

FOLLOW OUR GUEST: 

Lawrence Jones and Joni Jones

Link to Guests’ recent TV appearance on New Mexico in Focus, discussing issues relating to domestic violence (October 6, 2022): https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=wUQY7Gqv3FA

Point C video on YouTube: htps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u4eNVDtGdTs

Link to the Point C Website: www.pointcdivorce.com

ABOUT YOUR HOST: 

Beverly Prices is the empowering divorce coach who guides women on their journey before, during, and after divorce to eliminate pain, overwhelm, sadness, and anger and create more knowledge, skill, and peace that she experienced herself.

CONTACT YOUR HOST: 

Website: http://www.herempowereddivorce.com/

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Email: beverly@herempowereddivorce.com

A Warm Shoutout To Our Amazing Sponsor: SOBERLINK

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🌟 Special Highlight: 

Have you discovered the "Divorce & Beyond" podcast with Susan Guthrie yet? With over 30 years as a leading family law attorney and mediator, Susan combines her wealth of expert insights with advice from the nation's top divorce specialists. Whether you're navigating the tumultuous currents of divorce or looking to thrive in your radiant BEYOND, "Divorce & Beyond" is your companion for the journey. Dive deeper and let Susan guide you to a brighter tomorrow. Listen to "Divorce & Beyond" wherever you enjoy your podcasts or on the website https://divorceandbeyondpod.com, and step into your beautiful BEYOND.