Justice Marjory D. Fields, (New York State Judge, retired) has dedicated her legal career since 1971 to reforming laws, police policies and practices, prosecution and defense services, and courts in the USA and other countries to provide safety and justice for women and children who are victims of violence in their homes and in public. She served for 16 years in the New York State Supreme and Family Courts. Justice Fields is a consultant to domestic and foreign governments, businesses, women’s organizations, and human rights NGO’s on protecting women and children from violence at home, in the work place, in schools, and in public places. She is a practicing attorney in New York, in the fields of matrimonial and family law, specializing in pre and post nuptial agreements and appeals.
Award Information
Domestic violence is a human rights problem of pressing global concern. Thirty years of efforts to combat domestic violence in the U.S.A. produced limited reduction of homicides of women by their husbands. Can the U.S.A. improve its responses to domestic violence by adopting Japanese solutions? Can the U.S.A. experience provide additional ways to curb domestic violence in Japan? This project will analyze the laws for civil injunctions, divorce, support, child custody, and property division, and application of the criminal laws to domestic violence. The provision of services to women and their children will be assessed through interviews with social workers and members of women's groups advocating services. This project will promote the exchange of best practices globally. I will publish my study in a law review, and disseminate it to my colleagues in the International Association of Women Judges, the United Nations and bar associations, who can change policy.
