On Wednesday, April 1, 2026, MassLive reported that a newly appointed Massachusetts Probate and Family Court judge previously led a parenting program that drew criticism from domestic violence survivors who said it forced them into unsafe interactions with their abusers.
Mary Ferriter, nominated by Gov. Maura Healey on March 4, was confirmed by the Massachusetts Governor’s Council following a divided vote. Healey cited Ferriter’s experience and judgment in announcing the nomination to the court, which handles matters including divorce, custody, child support, and estates.
Ferriter’s appointment, however, prompted opposition tied to her past role as director of the High Conflict Parent Education Program at William James College. During a March 18 council meeting, Councilor Tara Jacobs said she received a surge of complaints related to the program and Ferriter’s involvement, describing them as detailed and specific.
The council ultimately voted 4-3 to confirm Ferriter. Several domestic violence survivors attended the meeting, and at least one expressed distress following the decision, saying their experiences were not being acknowledged.
The parenting program at the center of the concerns was, until 2024, a court-ordered course for divorcing parents in high-conflict situations. Survivors and advocates criticized it for requiring joint participation and communication between individuals who alleged abuse. Although the college stated that participants were screened for active domestic violence, accounts from participants and court records indicated that some survivors were still required to attend alongside their abusers.
One woman told MassLive she had been ordered to take the class with a partner who had assaulted her months earlier. As part of the coursework, she said she was instructed to meet him and maintain regular communication, as well as reflect on her role in his behavior. When she declined, she said she failed the program.
Reports from other outlets and a 2024 academic paper also raised concerns about the structure of the program. Participants were assigned exercises such as identifying positive traits in their co-parent and agreeing to requests from them. Critics argued that such requirements could be harmful in abusive dynamics and risk reinforcing control by abusers.
Legal experts noted that the program’s framework did not adequately account for the complexities of domestic violence. One law professor described the model as rigid and potentially unsafe, particularly when courts mandated joint participation without fully considering allegations of abuse.
Ferriter addressed these concerns during her confirmation hearing, stating that cases were screened and that participants with restraining orders were sometimes asked to modify them to allow participation. She also described instances where accommodations were made, including offering to communicate with judges about safety concerns. Ferriter said the program aimed to help participants communicate more effectively and cited examples where individuals became more confident during sessions.
William James College confirmed the program ended in 2024, stating its curriculum evolves over time. A separate organization has since introduced a revised version of the course, with changes including voluntary participation and virtual options.
Despite the controversy, Ferriter received support from colleagues and legal professionals who described her as experienced and well-prepared. The Governor’s Council, which rarely rejects judicial nominations, approved her appointment after deliberation.
Source: MassLive
