Navigating Shared Parenting, Domestic Violence, and COVID-19 | https://www.phoenix.gov/newsroom/police/1208 | Police | | 5/7/2020 7:00:00 PM | | https://youtu.be/eSXrp9Y9cdE | Navigating Shared Parenting, Domestic Violence, and COVID-19 | <div class="ExternalClass7B7FA6927A2947F4B39345CC506B3CA4"><html>Leslie Beatty is an engineer, a certified project manager and Six Sigma Black Belt, a mom of two, and a survivor of domestic violence. <br><div><div><div>"It knows no race, it knows no economic background, it knows...it can go from the poverty stricken all the way to the CEO," Beatty said.</div><div> </div><div>And it knows no global health pandemic, either. Domestic violence continues, despite COVID-19. For Leslie, the abuse is not physical, but psychological. </div><div> </div><div>"I am nowhere close to my ex-spouse," Leslie explained. "But, we still have to interact to exchange our children and make sure that our children are staying ahead when it comes to school."</div><div> </div><div>Leslie says she and her ex-spouse have predesignated time with their nine and 11 year-old sons that is adjusted when kids are in school vs. on summer break. Since kids are doing school from home right now, Leslie said her ex-spouse has tried to use that to keep the kids longer.</div><div> </div><div>"He was blatantly telling them we're now in the summer schedule because school is closed," Leslie said. "When he was supposed to return them on Sunday, he doesn't show up and then he'll file an emergency temporary order and that keeps him from being charged with custodial interference."</div><div> </div><div>Leslie says because of this, their kids are getting behind in school work. So she did her homework, researching parenting guidelines during COVID-19. She found the answer from the <a target="_blank" href="https://superiorcourt.maricopa.gov/media/6082/covid-19-and-parenting-plans-maricopa-county-revised-version-4-3-20.pdf">Maricopa County Superior Court</a>.</div><div> </div><div>"While schools are closed, parenting time should continue as if children are still attending school under the school calendar of the relevant district," Leslie read.</div><div> </div><div>Leslie took this information to police and regained rightful time with her kids but she recognizes others in similar situations may not know their rights.</div><div> </div><div>"I would like for people to understand that they're not alone, that they have resources out there that they can tap into, and there are people out here who are willing to be advocates and help guide you through the process of even riding emotion when you can't afford an attorney," Leslie said.</div><div> </div>The Phoenix Police Department has a page dedicated to domestic violence resources - hotlines, shelters, legal assistance, and other types of support that are fully functioning during this time. Visit <a target="_blank" href="/police/domesticviolence">phoenix.gov/domesticviolence</a>. Call or text 911 if you are in immediate danger. </div></div></html></div> | https://phoenix.gov/police | Video | | police | | Police | | | | @PhoenixPolice | Domestic Violence, Phoenix Police, Shared Parents, COVID-19 | Police Main PIO | | | | | phoenixpd.pio@phoenix.gov | https://www.phoenix.gov/newssite/Lists/MediaContact/Attachments/36/Police2.png | | | | | | | | PhoenixPolice | |