
Episode #20
When Assumptions Hurt: Separating Myths From Evidence In Intimate Partner Domestic Violence With Professor Joan Meier
How do myths about intimate partner violence influence decisions that can change and even endanger lives? Host Julie Field and co-host Heidi Webb speak with George Washington Law School Professor Joan Meier about her decades of groundbreaking research on domestic violence, child abuse, and the family court system. She explores why misconceptions persist, how allegations of parental alienation arise in response to abuse claims, and what empirical evidence actually reveals. Professor Meier also details her efforts educating judges and attorneys to bridge the gap between assumption and science. Understanding this distinction is essential to protecting children and survivor parents while improving decision-making in family courts. Whether you’re a family law professional or interested in how research shapes justice, this conversation will challenge what you think you know.




