Domestic violence survivors oppose judicial pick, challenge in Governor’s Council race
A retired trial attorney is challenging an incumbent in the Governor’s Council race, citing concerns over a judicial nominee’s past involvement with a controversial court-ordered parenting program. The program, which was discontinued in 2024, faced criticism for allegedly retraumatizing domestic abuse survivors by requiring them to participate alongside their alleged abusers.
The race for the Governor’s Council has become a focal point for family court reform advocates in Massachusetts. A retired trial attorney is challenging incumbent Mara Dolan, specifically opposing the nomination of Mary Ferriter as an associate justice of the Massachusetts Probate and Family Court. The opposition stems from Ferriter’s previous leadership of a court-ordered parenting program that drew significant backlash from families navigating the system.
Critics of the program, including those who were court-ordered to attend, described the nine-week curriculum as retraumatizing. The program reportedly required survivors of domestic abuse to engage in exercises alongside their alleged abusers, a practice that advocates argue ignores the realities of power imbalances and safety concerns in high-conflict custody cases. While supporters of the program claimed it was intended to reduce parental conflict, the controversy led to its discontinuation by William James College in 2024.
For fathers and mothers alike, this nomination highlights the ongoing tension between court-mandated conflict resolution programs and the actual needs of families. Many fathers in the system have long argued that standardized, one-size-fits-all programs often fail to account for the nuances of individual cases, sometimes exacerbating rather than resolving disputes. The pushback against this nomination underscores a growing demand for trauma-informed judicial appointments.
This development is particularly relevant to the Fatherly Justice Association’s mission, as it emphasizes the importance of judicial oversight and the need for court programs that prioritize genuine safety and fairness. As the election approaches, the debate serves as a reminder that the individuals appointed to the bench have a profound impact on the lives of parents and children, and that advocacy for reform must extend to the selection of the judges themselves.
Source: https://www.cambridgeday.com/2026/08/25/domestic-violence-survivors-oppose-judicial-pick