In Re Heather A.

In this dependency case, Harold A. (Father), challenges the sufficiency of the evidence to support the jurisdiction and disposition orders made regarding his minor twin daughters, Helen A. (Helen) and Heather A. (Heather). He also asserts the court failed to put certain findings in the record. Part of the evidence before the dependency court focused on the concepts of secondary abuse and battered women's syndrome, as they relate to the children (or stepchildren, foster children, etc.) of victims of domestic violence. "Secondary abuse" refers to the effect on children of occurrences of abuse in their environment which are not directed specifically at them. Battered women's syndrome is that collection of symptoms commonly experienced by victims of domestic abuse. Here, there is evidence that the minor children were exposed to domestic violence in their father's home. This evidence, together with other evidence in the record, supports the orders challenged by Father and we therefore affirm the judgment.

On December 13, 1994, the department of children and family services (DCFS) filed a petition alleging the minor girls are persons coming within section 300 of…