First Lady O'Malley Participates in Russian American Rule of Law Consortium's Seminar on Judicial Ethics and Domestic Violence

Travels to St. Petersburg to talk about Domestic Violence

 

ANNAPOLIS, MD (May 14, 2009) – First Lady, Judge Katie O’Malley today returned from St. Petersburg, Russia where she was part of the Russian American Rule of Law Consortium’s (RAROLC) participation in a week long seminar on judicial ethics and domestic violence.  The RAROLC is comprised of groups of volunteer legal experts that partner with professionals from a Russian region, and promotes the development of legal institutions and the rule of law in Russia, to help build a more democratic society in the future. 

During the trip, Judge O’Malley addressed students of Leningrad State University, and discussed domestic violence on women in the international community, Maryland’s initiatives to protect vicims of domestic violence, and Maryland’s laws to protect victims of domestic violence.

“The World Health Organization estimates that between 15 and 71 percent of women around the world reported physical or sexual violence by a partner,” said Judge O’Malley.  “Domestic violence is a major public health problem and a violation of human rights.  As a former prosecutor, and current Judge, I have seen first hand the detrimental effects of family violence.  By strengthening our laws and increasing awareness, we can protect more victims of domestic violence, and prevent future violence from occurring.”  

Judge O’Malley was joined by Judge Mary Ellen Barbera of the Maryland Court of Appeals and Judge Richard Bennett of the United States District Court for the District of Maryland.  A delegation from Connecticut also joined the Maryland group.  On the trip, the delegation visited with law students of Leningrad State University, participated in a two-day seminar on domestic violence and judicial ethics held by the Chief Judge of the Kirishi city court.

In the fall of 2007, Judge O’Malley helped the RAROLC host a group of Judges, Justices of the Peace and Prosecutors from Tosno, Russia who were interested in domestic violence initiatives in Maryland.  The Chief Judge of the Tosno city court requested that the program participants, including Judge O'Malley, visit their city to further discuss U.S. policies, procedures and laws pertaining to domestic violence.  The RAROLC accepted the invitation, enthusiastic about their prospects to strengthen relationships and develop new ones to advance domestic violence reform in Tosno and the greater region of Leningrad Oblast.

Last year, Judge O’Malley traveled to Tosno and St. Petersburg, Russia On the trip, the delegation participated in a two-day Domestic Violence Seminar held by the Chief Judge of the Tosno City Court and attended by other legal officials in the Leningrad Oblast government, as well as visited the Tosno Police Department.  The delegation also met with the Governor of the Leningrad Region and gave a lecture on Domestic Violence at the Leningrad State University.

The Russian American Rule of Law Consortium is dedicated to improving the capacity of local Russian legal institutions to implement reform, already having been instrumental in the development of bar associations and judicial and lawyer education programs.  The RAROLC has also provided training in the use of technology, initiated the adoption of alternative dispute resolution methods, and trained legal professionals to effectively implement reforms, bringing justice to citizens.

The RAROLC has groups in nine states, including Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maryland, Main, New Hampshire, New York, Alaska and Oregon, and is a participant of the Open World Program, which is administered by the Library of Congress.  Maryland is in a particularly good position to initiate legal reforms in Russia due to its strong Sister State relationship with the Leningrad Oblast, and branch out to instill more general democratic reforms in the executive and legislative branches.

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