Help for Protective Parents
SUBSCRIBEIf you’ve decided to leave an abusive relationship you are possibly doing the best, and hardest thing you will ever do.
If your abuser is using the broken custody court system against you it is harder still. You, and your children, may need help.
We have assembled some simple advice and links to get you started. Links to experts and organizations, online self help resources, and networking groups. You may feel alone, but you are part of a community of mothers, and others, working together. Helping each other help our children.
We hope this page will help you get started. You’ll also find many articles on the custody court crisis on our blog.
Identifying Abuse
![Stop Abuse Campaign Stop Abuse Campaign](https://stopabusecampaign.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Stop-Abuse-Campaign-hand.png)
Find the Help You Need
Are your ready to leave your abuser? Find the legal and financial resources you may need and explore different advocacy groups who can assist with your transition.
Leaving Your Abuser
If you’re a parent in an abusive relationship, you’ve got a long road ahead of you. Here are guidelines and resources to help you.
Reporting Abuse
As horrible as this sounds, there is an high probability that if you report child abuse allegations during a divorce or custody dispute the reports will be taken as evidence of “alienation”. That “alienation” can work against you much more harshly than actual abuse will be used against your ex.
Always take your child for treatment if they are injured. But if those injuries stem from abuse, consider taking your child to the emergency room. There doctors usually have more training in child abuse injuries; importantly you can’t be accused of “doctor shopping” in court either.
If your child discloses abuse to you, thank them, tell them you believe them and will try to keep them safe. Do not ask them to elaborate on what they said and seek immediate legal help. You’ll find a list of legal resources below.
You can directly report abuse through the National Domestic Violence Hotline by directly calling or texting “START” to 1.800.799.SAFE (7233). The Hotline is the only 24/7 center in the nation that has access to service providers and shelters across the United States. It continues to grow and explore new avenues of services for domestic abuse victims.
You may also visit the website for the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV) where you’ll find an exhaustive list of hotlines dealing with domestic violence, child abuse, and sexual assault.
To report child abuse text or call Childhelp at 1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453). The Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline is a 24-hour hotline with resources to aid in every child abuse situation.
Save Everything
Keep a copy of any and all police reports, interactions with child protective services, orders of protection, etc.. Document and photograph bruises or injuries you or your children receive.
Get Off to a Strong Start
Very few divorces involve contested custody, so many lawyers without experience in domestic violence cases don’t understand the connection and don’t understand how to proceed.
It is strongly recommended that you find a lawyer with experience in domestic violence, contested custody and possibly child abuse as early in the process as you can. Sometimes your local domestic violence shelter can help, even if you don’t stay in the shelter itself.
Winning in Court
You’re going to need help.
As horrible as it sounds, if your partner has abused you and/or your child, the odds of you being able to protect your child from further abuse and trauma is low. To succeed in the legal system and protect your child you will need specialized help. Here are some resources that may be able to help. If your custody case involves child sexual abuse, visit this link.
Command the Courtroom
The Proper Person
The Legal Project
Provides free consultations and pro bono/reduced fee representation in their offices and at domestic violence programs.
DV Leap
Legal Momentum
Mad Moms
Battered Women’s Justice Project
BWJP staffs an 800 number to respond to callers from around the country. Advocates who answer these calls are familiar with a wide range of domestic-violence related issues, including criminal prosecution and custody-related matters.
Legal Resource Center on Violence Against Women
The Eastside Legal Assistance Program (ELAP)
Child Justice
The Liz Library
National Family Court Watch Project
Pro Bono Net
Pro Bono Net brings the power of the law to all by building cutting-edge digital tools and fostering collaborations with the nation’s leading civil legal organizations..
Justice For Children
Center for Judicial Excellence
A nonprofit organization based in San Rafael, California whose mission is to protect vulnerable children in the family court system and to strengthen the integrity of all courts by creating judicial accountability.
Financial Resources
Divorce and Your Money
Domestic Shelters
National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV)
Battered Women’s Justice Project
Search through the Battered Women’s Justice Project’s resource center for answers to your questions.
expert Resources
Laura Richards, BSc, MSc. MBPsS
Joan Meier
Kathleen Russell
Barry Goldstein
Lundy Bancroft
After 30+ years an author, workshop leader, and consultant, Lundy Bancroft has retired from domestic violence work except for speaking events and trainings. His work focuses on best practices for intervening in domestic abuse situations, empowerment for abused women, and advocating for the human rights of mothers and their children.
advocacy groups & organizations
Asian & Pacific Islander Institute on Domestic Violence
Family Justice Center Alliance
Victim Connect Resource Center
Women Against Abuse
California Protective Parents Association (CPPA)
The CPPA was formed in 1998 to ensure there would be an end to abuse in our family courts and children could be safe at home. Its mission is to protect children from incest and family violence through research, education and advocacy.
Courageous Kids Network
The Courageous Kids Network is a growing group of young people, whose childhoods were shattered by inhumane court rulings, which forced us to live with our abusive parent, while restricting or sometimes completely eliminating contact with our loving and protective parent.
The Court Said
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Children Against Court Appointed Child Abuse
Post-separation support
Your first priority needs to be the physical safety of you and your children, and you’ve done the right thing by taking the initiative to leave your abuser. However, the road to recovery is long from over. There will be obstacles you face along the way, but you will overcome them. Here are some resources to guide and inspire you.
You are not alone
Use these first hand accounts of getting past domestic abuse empower your own. Learn how other mothers have persevered and write your own future.
Healthy Relationship & Healing Resources
Blended Family Coaching
Unf*ck Your Brain
Think Unbroken
Books for Parents
Raising Resilient Children with a Borderline or Narcissistic Parent
Margalis Fjelstad & Jean McBride
Raising an Emotionally Intelligent Child the Heart of Parenting
Ph.D. John Gottman & Joan Declaire
Recommended Books by Betrayal Trauma Recovery
Various Authors
The Body Keeps Score
Bessel Van Der Kolk M.D.
Books for Children
My Parents Are Divorced Too: A Book for Kids by Kids
Melanie Ford, Steven Ford, Annie Ford, & Jann Blackstone-Ford
Two Homes
The Invisible String
Patrice Karst
Between Mom and Me: A Mother-Son Journal
Katie Clemons
Big Life Journal: A Growth Mindset Journal for Children
Various Authors
Documentaries
No Way Out But One
Allen v. Farrow
What Doesn’t Kill Me
Podcasts
Save Your Sanity
Divorce and Your Money
The Michael Unbroken Podcast | CPTSD and Trauma Coach
Heal, Survive & Thrive!
UnF*ck Your Brain
YouTube Channels
One Mom's Battle
MedCircle
MedCircle brings you engaging mental health interviews with world-class psychiatrists & psychologists every single week. The MedCircle doctors provide in-depth mental health advice packed with actionable takeaways and clear explanations of the most complicated mental health topics.
Help for Toxic Relationships
Command the Courtroom
Wendy Hernandez is a family law attorney, divorce coach, founder of the Hernandez Family Law Firm, and creator of Command the Courtroom. In these short tutorials, she shows those who can’t afford to hire a lawyer the absolute best way to build a custody case and increase their chances of success.
We Need to Talk with Kris Godinez
Dr. Les Carter
Dr. Les Carter is a best selling author, a psychotherapist, and speaker focusing on the meaning of emotions and behaviors which reflect core values and guiding principles. His channel is a place to grow, learn and find healing in your relationships.
Tracy Malone
Stephanie Lyn Coaching
Michele Lee Nieves Coaching
Co-Parenting with your abuser
Co-parenting with High Conflict Training
BIFF for CoParent Communication: Your Guide to Difficult Texts, Emails, and Social Media Posts
OMB's Canned Responses
If you are involved in a high-conflict divorce or child custody situation, communication is critical. Use these responses to respond unemotionally to toxic communication.
Co-Parenting Apps
Our Family Wizard
Peaceful Parent
TalkingParents
Custody X Change
weparent
WeParent is a mobile app that helps all parents – but especially, divorced and separated co-parents. It helps you manage all aspects of parenting communication and logistics: