Dear MCADSV Members and Allies:

The Montana Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence has created a Courtwatch Training Manual in order to help our members and allies develop court-community collaborations throughout the state of Montana.  The Courtwatch program empowers local communities to have an active volunteer presence in the local courts.  Through evaluating and monitoring the justice system and outcomes for victims of domestic and sexual violence, Courtwatch will provide a forum for feedback to facilitate systems advocacy change. 

This court-monitoring system has been developed to monitor legal systems, help survivors of domestic and sexual violence, generate change, create awareness, and better your community.  Within the MCADSV Courtwatch Training Manual included, you will find the following information:

• Background:  Courtwatch Defined
• History of MCADSV Courtwatch Manual
• Developing a Courtwatch Program
• Implementing a Courtwatch Program
• Understanding the Law and the Courts
• Glossary
• Appendices

This manual has been completed through the research and hard work of the past Americorps Vista, Jennifer Hill-Hart, the contribution of MCADSV member programs and community partners, and information and technical assistance from court monitoring programs across the country.  The Courtwatch program is an excellent way to get involved in your community and increase public awareness about the prevalence of domestic and sexual violence. 

The Courtwatch Training Manual can be located in the link below. If you are interested in the Courtwatch program, please contact me.  I look foward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

Rachel Allen

Courtwatch Americorps* Vista

This project is supported by the grant 2004 MUAX 0048, awarded by the US Department of Justice Office of Justice Programs.

Please click here to access the CourwatchTraining Manual: Courtwatch

Create a court monitoring program in your community in order to: observe legal systems, help survivors of domestic and sexual violence, create awareness, get involved, and better your community. 

For further information about the MCADSV Courtwatch program contact Rachel Allen at 406-443-7794 ext. 43, or rallen@mcadsv.com.