Some who signed the "PROTECT ABUSED CHILDREN" petition!

Mother from Ohio
I have been fighting alongside my Daughter, a single mother of 3, spent thousands of dollars in court, to protect my grandchildren from having to go spend time with their abusive father and step-mother, to no avail. This weekend, the abuser threw my grandson across the room and told him the get the he-- out of his sight. This is the person this Magistrate insists has the right to see his children. He has a history of abuse, starting with my Daughter being beaten several times by him. This must stop, we need to protect these innocent children and the protective parents...and grandparents.

Mother from Florida
my children are forced to go to a supervised visitation with their sociopath abusive father and we are besides ourselves in grief and depression. When will the courts hear the cries of our helpless children. They have no rights.

Melissa Barela, Ohio
my two son's and myself have been mentally, physically, and emotionally abused by their father. We had broken up because of this last Christmas 2 days before Christmas their father broke into my home. high and drunk and threatened to kill all of us and himself. The police were called but nothing happened to him. Children’s services became involved and said the children were not to be allowed to be alone with their father who has been in trouble with the police many times before. he hired an expensive attorney and now I am in a constant struggle with the trumbull county court to keep the children safe. They currently only see their father at supervised visits but I do not know how much longer I can keep them safe. The courts do not really do what is in the best interest of the children in the end. I fear for my children's safety everyday. The courts are always bringing up the father's rights to see his children but I feel he has chosen to give up his rights by abusing us for the past 4 years.

Connie Clark, Texas
As a victim of abuse myself, I can honestly attest to the fear and horrors that occur to children who are molested.

Andrea Melton, Illinois
My child is one who has told me that "dad' has touched them. It was investigated, but unfounded. repeatedly this child puts up a fight when having to go for visits. Increasingly I see more actions, which lead me to believe this is happening more. The child is afraid to talk about it though. I think this is trauma in any way, shape and form. Trauma and abuse such as this, should not be allowed. These abusers need to be stopped, even if it means removing the child from their lives or having supervised visits.

Jennifer Howlin, New Jersey
Please, please protect our babies. They are innocent victims who do not deserve to be exposed to the dangers of their predators.

Briggette Johnson, Arkansas
My then 9 year old daughter told me and then counselor, DHS investigator, and Arkansas State Police investigator about her father sexually abusing her. We are being investigated and seen by DHS, but, the offender her father has refused a lie detector test, and refused to allow DHS into his home. And, so it appears to us because I don't have 5,000 dollars to hire a lawyer the paper work is all just sitting on someone’s desk being ignored. Meanwhile I'm paying for counseling for my daughter and did hire a 750 dollar lawyer who has agreed to fight for full custody of my daughter after DHS and the Arkansas State Police finish there investigation. Which is sitting on someone’s desk being ignored!!!!

Gail Douttiel, Virginia
My son is being forced to visit out of state with a father who walked out of his life for 2 years. He then came back with a lawyer and filed a show cause on me stating I had denied him visitations to the child. After he had previously told the same Judge he had terminated the visitations himself. He was just returned from a scheduled 10 day visit when his father had to make a choice between his son and his new wife. She spent 2 1/2 days verbally abusing my son. At one point she went to slap him but caught herself in time. He was returned the next day. The father did not even show the maturity to call me and see if I would be home to receive our son he just put him in the car and drove him home. A 12 hour trip where the only words spoken to him were by his step mother. They were hopefully some day soon you will open your heart and learn how to be a son.

Citizen from South Carolina
Please help these children.

From the Philippines
This must be stopped. Because, as they said, children is the new savior of the earth.

Pat Taylor, Tennessee
My husband and I are foster parents for sexually abused boys.

Dawn Hall Ivanova, Florida
My children are victims of abuse by their father, my ex-husband. He was arrested for child abuse on another child in 2007, but the Florida Department of Children & Families failed to contact me of his arrest and the issues going on in the home. I have filed for full custody and for an expedited hearing so I can legally remove my children from his home. However, it has been more than 4 months and my children and I are still waiting for anything to be done. I want to keep my children with me to protect them, however I am afraid that I will lose my custody rights if I go against our visitation order. I really wish there was someone there to help me protect my children without putting me at risk of losing them.

Sierra Taylor, West Virginia
I think that the justice system turns a blind eye to what is happening in America. There are over thousands of sexual abusers and more then half of them can not be accounted to their whereabouts. And many more are unreported, because they seem to think there is no use since our system just gives them a smack on the hand, and then acts like it's not happening, but the problem is IT IS HAPPENING! We need to protect the ones that can not protect themselves, and that is our children!

From New York
I am witness to children who are being subjected to forced visitation with their abusive father. The visits are supposed to be supervised but the worker only stays 15 min out of the 4 hrs. The father is very abusive psychologically to the children once the supervision is gone! I have reported what I witnessed, nothing has been done about it!

From Texas
I am a parent fighting for my abused children and custody of them. We have been battling this for over a year now in the state of Arizona. My children are being forced back for unsupervised visitations with their abusive father and step mother whom both are verbally, physically , and have inappropriately touched teen daughters. The judge is overlooking all abusive allegations even after a detective testified on behalf of daughter, a custody evaluator filed an abuse report to CPS which verifies abuse is present in his home, my children have spoken 3 times to the judges involved and two judges we had made visits supervised the last judge has undone that and dragging his feet on producing orders which took 4 months to complete, then turns around and gives joint custody and forces children to return to abusive father and step mother. This is UNREAL Where and when are children going to be allowed to be heard and listened to? These are teen children involved here. What is wrong with the state of Arizona JUSTICE 4 CHILDREN.

Kaleena Lotti, Rhode Island
In doing a project on this for college and I understand how many people this is hurting

Nancy K Baumgarten M.L.A., North Carolina
Not only for abuse cases do children deserve a voice and defense, but there needs to be a recognition of the citizenship rights of children in general. Children should be seen and heard and believed! www.psykids.net

Amy Matthews, Michigan
Protect the children. The children have rights. I was given to my mom in a custody battle only because I was a girl and the judge felt a girl should be with her dad. My three brothers were given to my dad. I should have gone with my dad as well as my mother turned out to have an anti social personality and was abusive to me all my life. Children should be in the care of a loving parent not and abusive parent. Please sign and protect the children they are not property but human beings. Thank you!

Betty Davies, North Carolina
Do what is right for the children!!

From Michigan
The treatment of animals our better than children. They don't send a animal back to an abuser? What is going on in this country!

From Kansas
Who is going to be held accountable if we don't speak out on this? Many children are dying due to domestic violence in Wichita....If the courts won't help the children then who will be held accountable for such actions....signed a protective parent

Shannon Wilson, Montana
Children do not need to be with abusive parents! Please help the children!

From Illinois
I think judges are becoming biased against mothers that are trying to protect their children, and then we loose our children to the abuser as the abuser is the one who has the money. We need to turn it back to "What is in the best interest of the children", and not who has the most money gets the kids! Us mothers try to protect our kids, but the system is forcing us to turn the kids over to the abuser...THIS IS WRONG!!!

Henrietta Jacobson, Florida
Congress has a job to do and that is to protect citizens remember someday children will be voting citizens. Just back they are not now is NO EXCUSE. Lobbyists don't generally lobby for nothing and most abused children can't afford to PAY YOU TO PROTECT THEM BUT YOU CAN CONSIDER DOING SO AS GOD'S WORK AND THIS NATION WAS FOUNDED UNDER GOD. STOP DEMANDING A PAYCHECK FOR DOING YOUR JOB FROM LOBBYISTS. AN ABUSED CHILD CAN'T TAKE YOU TO LUNCH BUT HE CAN ADD HAPPINESS TO THSI WORLD WHICH AFFECTS YOUR CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN OR HE CAN ADD PAIN, DYSFUNCTION AND SOMETIMES B/C A PERPETRATOR THAT COULD AFFECT YOUR VERY OWN FAMILY IF YOU DON'T DO YOUR JOB. IF YOU DON'T GIVE A CHILD A VOICE BELIEVE ME YOU WILL HEAR ABOU IT LATER IN THE COURT SYSTEM WITH TAXES FOR MENTAL HEALTH BILLS AND CRIME FOR ALL OF YOUR CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN TO INHERIT. So if you don't do it out of caring about others do it out of caring for yourself and your tax dollars and your children's tax dollars...if the money is the only way you can be bought either way protect a child TODAY! It might even get you into heaven :-) if you do it for the right reasons!

LAURIE ZIMMERMAN, Maine
FOR STEALING ITS 4 YRS. FOR RAPE ITS 4 YRS. AND A CHILD IS FOREVER TORMENTED INTO THERE SR. YRS. IT NEVER GOES AWAY. THE OPPRETION AND FEAR. STAY FOR LIFE. AND THE ADULT GETS A FREE RIDE OFF A CHILD. BECAUSE OF THIS EASY SENTENCE. RAPE HAS GOWN. AND WHO IS ACCOUNTABLE. THE RAPIST. OR THE NEGLECT OF THE LEGISTATION. OR BOTH.

2:04 pm PST, Nov 9, Darlene Blevins, Oklahoma
I was a Victim of watching my parents everyday beat the hell out of each other in front of me and my 3 sisters and 2 brothers and when Dad got tired of beating mom he beat on us kids. Not only that but dad allowed a Convicted Rapist to move into our home where he molested me and 2 of my sisters. CHILD ABUSE IS BAD AND IT IS GETTING OUT OF HAND CHILDREN ARE BEING PLACED BACK INTO THE ABUSERS CUSTODY JUST TO BE BEATEN AND MURDERED THESE CHILDREN DESERVE BETTER. Kelsey Briggs was a beautiful little Girl she was an Angel and her mother allowed Kelsey's step dad to beat her and kick her so hard until she died at the age of 3 her step dad is now serving 30 years in prison for murder and Kelsey's mother is serving 27 years for Enabling Child Abuse. Sirs/Madams CHILD ABUSE HAS TO STOP!!!! BABIES ARE DYING AT THE HANDS OF THEYRE ABUSERS THEYRE LITTLE LIVES ARE BEING CUT SHORT AND IT IS UNFAIR. PLEASE HELP GET MORE LAWS OUT THERE FOR THESE LITTLE CHILDREN. GIVE MORE PRISON TIME TO THE ABUSERS AND PLEASE MAKE CHILD WELFARE DO A MORE THOROUGH JOB WHEN CHECKING ON THE ABUSED CHILDREN THEY ARE BEING NEGLECTED. Thank you so much hope I have made a difference for a child.

Denise De Simone, New Jersey
The state has contributed to the emotional abuse and possible physical abuse to our children. That is a disgrace. They are suppose to save our children, not throw them in a burning building. The ASPCA takes care of our animals better than DYFS takes care of our children. Something is terribly wrong, when you give custody of a chide to a sexually abusive father instead of a mother that loves and is trying to protect her child.

Angela Wood, Arizona
I have been fighting against CPS in Arizona, for 5 years. They insisted that for 4 years, my kids were better off with an abusive father, then a mother who was working 2 plus jobs. And to the point they almost had my daughter moved to another state.

Ruth C Evenchai, Iowa
I am very much in support of this petition. I pray that it will do what it is intended to do. Thanks to whoever started it! Ruth Evenchai

Julia Greer, Iowa
We have a family situation that has received very bad treatment in the courts with the abuser getting custody. It makes you sick at the injustice of it.

Aine O'Brocken, Washington
I am proud to add my signature to this. This subject is one dear to my heart because of women I have met on the internet...I have listened to their stories...I have seen pictures of their children with black eyes; photos of fingernails cut so far into the quick that the child in question could not use her hands; lengthy lists of abuses perpetrated by a father and disclosed by the children to their mother; letters from friends and attorneys of the protective parent, said friends and attorneys completely appalled by the abuse. This needs to end. It is shameful that in the modern United States this kind of abuse is allowed to exist, let alone to continue unbridled: sexual, physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, verbal--and any other thing an abusive parent can drag from the filth of his imagination.

Cathie ROCKWOOD, Florida
When will this be a priority?

ZANTHYE GREER, Iowa
I agree that all of the words of this petition are true and accurate. My child has been sexually abused since she was an infant. She is now 5. She has seen doctors and therapists who have documented and reported the abuse. At only 10 months old, she tested positive for marijuana after being with her other parent. A parent who has a criminal record for solicitation and possession of illegal drugs. A parent who has frequently lied under oath about these records. That other parent also admitted to Department of Human Services and under oath in court that he fed our daughter alcohol, also when she was an infant. She has come home with black-eyes and cigarette burns. She frequently cries due to the pain from what he has been doing to her. I realize that she does love him because he is her father. But that still doesn't change the fact that she often begs to stay at home with me so she does not have to go with him and, once she is there, she often cries and pleads for me to come get her, as I listen to him threaten her in the background. DHS and the courts do NOTHING to protect our children and everything to help the perpetrator. The courts have given "physical custody" of her to the ABUSER. DHS has even placed my daughter in "DHS APPROVED" childcare home that had a CONVICTED SEXUAL ABUSER living in that home. I beg you CONGRESS and MR. PRESIDENT, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE stop the pain and tears of our children! Please hear their voice and give them the protection that they so desperately need before it is too late. Please support the protective parents who are doing their best to care for and protect their own abused children. Sincerely, Zan Greer

Maryann Collins, New Jersey
I am the grandmother of 3 children who have been physically, emotionally and sexually abused by their father because he can and does get away with it. Too often the courts think the mothers put the children up to saying that the father sexually abused the child/children when it is the truth. The courts penalize the mother by placing the children in the care of the abuser. This is often done without enough investigation to validate the child’s story. This is a travesty of justice and we need to protect these most vulnerable of our citizens. Children. The law needs to go back to erring on the side of caution. Please help protect the children and the mothers or fathers who are acting in the best interest of the children and are trying to keep these children out of harms way. Thank you

From California
PAS is junk science and must be stopped from being used as a way to take children from parents trying to protect them from abuse!!

Lorraine Tipton, Wisconsin
The corruption of Family Courts and CPS needs attention! WE are no longer going to take it anymore! ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!

From New Jersey
Evidence of the sexual abuse was suppressed in my case; the government seems to care more for "reunification" of the child with her perpetrator than the actual abuse. My daughter does not have any protection from the continuing abuse and the courts do not even look at the evidence I have submitted. This is devastating that CPS and courts can even claim "best interest" for the child when they treat the child like a commodity and disregard what the child's behaviors and words have told them. This abuses the protective parents, too. What can we do if the people with the power won't help the ones without?

Elaine Robinson, United Kingdom
I am So Sorry to the children for all these SICK people in life CHILDREN'S RIGHTS CHILDREN'S RIGHTS

Sherri Hunter, Michigan
It is high time we stopped looking at children as property and begin seeing them as human beings, separate and unique that deserve rights and protection.

Jo An Miller, Texas
My story is a long and complicated one. I was cheated by the system in Riverside,CA. When my ex-husband and I divorced. He was extremely abusive and has 3 counts of spousal battery on me. I finally had the sense to leave the marriage after have 2 children together. After the 3rd time he ended up in jail for beating me, I fled and lived in a battered women's shelter with my children for 3 months having to leave everything behind. I had to start from the bottom of the barrel when my time was up at the shelter. I did not have a supportive family to help me so I struggled and worked many jobs and moved numerous times to barely make ends meet. During this struggle, I was still fighting with custody issues against my ex-husband. He was able to convince the judge to give him custody of our children ONLY because he had a stable job and a home. So, that made him the better parent even though he has that criminal record along with a drug possession charge as well? I felt that my life had ended there when my children were taken from me and punished for living at the shelter then start my life all over again from scratch with my children. It's been 7 years now that we continue to fight over custody. The father hits the children, mostly our son who is 9 years old and our daughter is 7. My son tells me how his father abuses him. But every time I take him back to court over other issues going on as well, he threatens and manages to coach the children for mediation. My son has tried to get help at school from CPS and I had talk to them as well over concerns. But they see no harm done just because there are no visible marks or bruises and the children are maintain good grades at their school! NOW, the ex-husband has been arrested this past April 2008 for stabbing his best friend in another state and possession of a controlled substance!!! He is out on bail and still awaiting trial and YES, he still has custody of our children! He is trying to keep that information from me but I happened to find out on a whim from looking up his name on the internet! What I discovered is, his mug shot had appeared in the local news and several news articles in that area! What does it take for the system to see that he is not fit to raise children? It shows that there is a psychological problem with him that triggers violence and unable to control his anger. This is unbearable for me as their mother constantly worrying about my children. He is not stable and his upbringing is not good for the children's best interest! For the past 7 years I have been living a very stable life. But the last 4 years I have been married to a Staff Sergeant in the US Army, we have a 2 year old child together, and I have been a stay at home mother for the past 2 1/2 years. I have a very loving and nurturing home with a secure and safe environment. Still the court does not care to see that I have always been the stable parent and I continue to fight this complicated system. I hope justice will be served!

Aricia Zazo, California
Our children are suffering and protective parents are legally forced to return them to the emotional and physical torture of abusive parents. They need our help now!

From Ohio
Part of the problem is that the father's rights advocates are organized and have legal representation. Mothers do not. Name one group that advocates for mother's rights. The father's rights groups have also been very effective in getting equal access laws passed in most states. Now most times that is fair, but certainly not in cases of abuse. You do need proof from an independent source. Get witnesses, experts to uncover proof and testify. But, lower trial "family" courts are notoriously corrupt and do not follow the laws. They don't care about you or your children, they just want you out of their courtroom. My husband tried to strangle me in front of our 3YO. Then he abandoned us. He of course lied to his family. He died suddenly shortly afterwards. Now his family wants to tell my child that I lied about the domestic violence and tried to keep him away from her. They would like nothing more than to take my child away from me. Yes, they are working hard to alienate my child from me.

Mother from Colorado
I have four beautiful boys with my ex-husband. I suffered 11 years of domestic violence at his hands. During the divorce hearing the judge refused to listen to six hours of recordings I had of him threatening me. I didn't have a lawyer and he was given three days a week. I moved to another town three hours away. He moved to California and I requested a change of venue after DSS advised me to. From November through March I had two police reports, two referrals from school personal and two letters from DSS of abuse at the his hands. He hit my babies, kicked them, called them horrible names and told them terrible things about me. I filed an emergency motion so he could not get the boys for the summer. The judge ruled that as long as he went to counseling, and had "courtesy" visits by DSS in CA he could have them for TEN WEEKS! My boys have never been away from me for more than six days! They are only 11, 7, 6, and 3! I had a lawyer this time, but the judge said she wanted to try and see how it worked out. They also were not supposed to be hit. My boys have been gone for four weeks and I have had to report them being grabbed by the arms and called names. Now, he records my conversations with my boys and I can only talk to them limited time throughout the day. I am disgusted with the system because I know have the boys counselor in CA saying my oldest is a "manipulator" and I have PAS thrown in my face. The sad part is that I am in CO and his manipulation tactics work well because she hasn't met me. I don't know what to do. I started researching all of these laws that now protect abusers rights and I am appalled. When did things go so wrong? When did an adult's rights become more important than a child's?

Penny McLain, Michigan
My children were taken away and given to their dad after 2 complaints were filed to Protective Services against him. The first complaint was made by my counselor the second by myself both after my 2yr. old daughter complained of not wanting her diaper changed and complained of pain and referred to her dad in both cases. My now ex-husband was and is a registered sex offender and my two little children were only 2yrs. and 9 months old. I was not and am not an abusive parent, and I do not drink or use drugs despite the facts my children were taken away and I have supervised parenting time for an hour a week the courts accused me of lying and say I am hyper diligent because I did took the right steps legally and morally to protect my children and the Judge threatened me that I better never make another false allegation against my ex-husband or I would have minimal to no visitation rights.

Annette McNamara, Wisconsin
Women abused have the right to protect there children. Judges in Wisconsin are forcing joint custody of the abuser vs. the victim. Causing harm to the victim and her children daily. We must hold the judges in Wisconsin accountable for the destruction of non abusive parents and their children safely. Thank you Judges in Wisconsin don't know what abuse is and don't care, they make the women look like the abuser for the sake of the dollar bill. Abusers have more money than the victims because the abusers have made it that way to win their case.

Liz H, Pennsylvania
I believe this will help all parents

Jennifer Booth, Iowa
I am appalled that there are parents who lose custody of their children for protecting them and reporting abuse. If you can't protect your own children, then who is supposed to? People only get one chance at childhood, one opportunity to have that innocence that is so often ripped away too soon by abuse. Please, make parents feel empowered to protect our kids, stop our children from losing their innocence!

Lucy Alexander, Virginia
My son committed suicide 5 weeks after his estranged father called him a stupid bastard and told him never to call him again. Yes, there was more stress in my son's life at the time, but years of mental abuse by his father contributed to his death.

Laurrie Galbraith, Washington
My son is 12 now and the system has surly failed us! He has told of the abuse for the second time now, and he is still in the home of the abuser. I can't believe it, nobody else could believe it either. And it happened just the way This petition says. I thought I was alone till I found out this is happening all over just the way it happen to me. This is crazy. And you know what hurts most of all, I can't protect my son. You can't even imagine how much that hurts and the torment you carry with you every day, every minute your child isn't with you. I want may son back!!!!

Jana Engleking, Indiana
Good Luck with this petition. This is a wonderful idea. I wish I would've thought of something like this. I hope you hit your goal.

Angel Garcia, Florida
ENOUGH IS ENOUGH - THIS ABUSE OF CHILDREN IS SO PROLIFIC - DAMAGING THEIR FUTURE - THOSE WHO TURN THEIR HEADS AND DO NOTHING - CAN BE CHARGED WITH THE CRIME OF ACCESSORY FOR ALLOWING ABUSE - FACT FACT FACT - AND THAT NEEDS TO BE ACTED UPON.

Mark A. Palmer, Arizona
Do something now and protect children.

Kristin Hanson, California
Mothers have no rights in the courts and to protect our children from their abuser (usually the father) Everyone is guaranteed due process which is missing in my case, and others. It is the duty of parents and the courts/CPS to protect our children. We are living as in the days of slavery, where we have no rights - even our freedom of speech is denied! This is wrong and our laws need to be changed and we need immediate reform of the court system so that it works the way it was intended. Mothers are being prosecuted for our efforts to speak up and protect our children.

Elizabeth Cook, Canada
Wild animals have this "right"- we go against nature when we hand over children to their abusers, and criminalize the protective parent. To say nothing of ethics, morality and common sense.

IndianasShame TeardropsForKatelynn, Indiana
What would you do? *********************************** Sugar and spice and everything nice. This is suppose to every little girls life. What happens when life is not like that? What if your life is filled with constant abuse by the people who suppose to protect you? For little Katelynn of Indiana, her life is filled with this from a father, stepmother and father's family; everyone but her the relatives that love her have been denied the ability to see her. What happens when the police will not stop this? Than try Child Protection Service, but they will not stop this either. The next thing to do is go to the court. What would you do if the Child Protection Services and the court helped the abusers hurt her? The media might work but they ignore majority of average people. In this search for help, several politicians ignored or said stop bothering them. If these people will not help little katelynn of Indiana than who will? Will this little girl have to pay the ultimate price for these adults mistakes? ********************************************** Now....,what will you do!? This is Indiana's Shame and these are Teardrops for Katelynn referral sources: www.courageouskids.net Mary Kay Ash Charitable Foundation :: Breaking the Silence: Children's Stories Aired on PBS http://www.mkacf.org/BreakTheSilence.html Breaking the Silence http://sev.prnewswire.com/entertainment/20051019/CLW50819102005-1.html http://www.tatgelasseur.com/pages/bts.html Battered Women, Abused Children, and Child Custody: A NATIONAL CRISIS http://www.batteredmotherscustodyconference.org/ ******************************************* Petition for Justice for Katelynn: http://www.gopetition.com/online/5918.html ********************************************** Don't let these little abused children be abused in silence anymore, please. Tell someone! Demand answers! Demand the children's truth! Above all break through this silence for theses abused children’s sake! No adults rights is greater than the right of the child to be safe!

Tracey Doak, New Hampshire
The children should always come first. They have a voice and they deserve to be heard.

S BEZANSON, New Hampshire
THE FOCUS IN THESE SITUATIONS SHOULD "ALWAYS" BE ON THE CHILDRENS RIGHTS.WE MUST PUT THEIR NEEDS ABOVE ALL OTHERS.YES, THERE ARE GOOD PARENTS AND BAD PARENTS BUT WE NEED TO FIRST MAKE SURE THE CHILDREN ARE PROTECTED.THE JUDGES AND LAWMAKERS THAT ALLOW THESE TERRIBLE ACTS OF ABUSE TO HAPPEN TO CHILDREN BY LETTING THE ACCUSED ABUSERS HAVE CUSTODY MUST BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE.THE SCARS THAT ARE CREATED FROM ABUSE ARE THE PRICE THE CHILDREN HAVE TO PAY FOR THE NEGLECT OF THE COURT SYSTEM TO PROTECT THEM,ABOVE AND BEYOND THE RIGHTS OF THE PARENTS.P R O T E C T THE CHILDREN FIRST.LET THEIR VOICE BE HEARD.WE AS A SOCEITY SHOULD NOT,CANNOT,LET THE CHILDREN CONTINUE TO PAY FOR OUR MISTAKES.WE MUST MAKE THE CHANGES THAT ARE NEEDED TO THE LEGAL SYSTEM TO KEEP THE CHILDREN SAFE FROM THOSE THAT WOULD TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE SYSTEM.LET HISTORY SHOW THAT WE WERE THE GENERATION THAT STARTED THE CHANGES TO PROTECT THEM FROM ABUSE.

Chalana Jameson, Kansas
God Help Our Children!http://www.thepetitionsite.com/tell-a-friend/362861

Magon Lance, Washington
My daughter was a victim of child abuse by her stepfather (my now ex-husband) when she just over two years old. Had his family been allowed to discuss with me or inform me about his court case that involved him sodomizing a seven year old little girl just 4 months before we got married it never would have happened. WE AS PARENTS HAVE TO DO SOMETHING TO MAKE THE SYSTEM HARDER FOR SEXUAL PREDATORS TO AVOID AND GET AROUND!!

DOROTHY FALZON, Malta
THIS HAPPENS IN MALTA TOO. SHAME ON ALL THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN ENTRUSTED WITH THE RESPONSIBILITY OF DECIDING ON THE GOOD AND THE BAD BUT WHY SHOULD WE CARE TO DO OUR DUTY CORRECTLY!! IT IS A SHAME ON MANKIND THAT THE VERY PEOPLE THAT WE OUGHT TO BE PROTECTING, WE ARE SENDING THEM WITH PEOPLE WHO ARE A MESS THEMSELVES SO THEY CAN ONLY MAKE CHILDREN A MESS TOO. BIG SHAME ON US ALL!!!

Will Teachenor, Washington
This is disgusting! These poor children are being used as pawns and in the process are being harmed, sometimes beyond healing.

Nancy St. George, Florida
I was held hostage for 12 hours with a knife the night he found out I contacted a divorce attorney. I was a stay at home mother with a special needs child, age 4. He threatened that if I called police, he would say I abuse my son and they would take my son away and put him in foster care and he didn’t care if either of us ever saw him again. I called police. He was arrested for aggravated domestic violence. He spent the night in jail. That was the beginning of the end. I lost custody of my son. He is being abused and his special needs neglected. My son is afraid and faces his abuse alone. I wish I had never called police. I did not think the court would believe his created parental alienation. He told me he would be out of town with his child from his first marriage for father’s day but showed up with witnesses. I was at my brother’s home an hour away. I have PTSD, I am broke, legally exhausted, and my son is paying the price.

Jennifer Miller, Ohio
The system is failing me at this time. If I would have failed to report suspected sexual abuse of my three year old child from her father who I have a CPO for 5 years against on DV against myself, I would have been jailed. Instead our services rush to her aid for a week, allow a sociopath liar pass a lie detector test (Are we surprised!) and with a 30 minute interview of the three year old are suspending her case. I now am being charged with contempt of court for not sending her back to the father though nothing is conclusive. She has not finished internal exams or counseling. I was already a victim I will not allow her to be at the age of three. I am not vindictive, I did not want to speak up at all. I knew how this would go. That is sad, revictimize the parent trying to protect a child from the same abuser they had. It is disgusting and there needs to be focus on this issue to prevent further suffering of our innocent and exploited.

Tatyana Belous, New Hampshire
I agree with this petition to give children of abuse the right to have their voice heard in the courts and to protect the protective parents from losing custody of their children.

Apr 17, 2008, Sandra Wirfel, Pennsylvania
We must protect our children NOW..or we risk creating another generation of children becoming adults and abusing their own children. We need to educate, and participate with organizations that can protect our children, but the first step in each of our households is with ourselves. Then empower your children to find a safe adult other than you or your spouse, (because no matter how much we want our children to always trust us they may not) who will listen to them and believe in them at all costs.

Natalie Paesani, Colorado
I have a right to protect my 6 year old son, but no-one will let me. I look at his tiny bruised face and wonder how everything with Protective Services could be so wrong; I pray for the strength to explain to him that I tried my best to protect him, but CPS would not let me. They believe his molester, not him or his mom, or the school, or the forensic psychologist...I mean, really, I only make $11 an hour and his dad makes close to $50. That’s why nothing changes for this little boy

Lisa Glotfelty, Washington
Kids are more fragile and precious than anything on earth. And our most valuable resource.F*ck parental rights when it comes down to WHAT'S BEST for the child. How can any sane person not feel that way??

Donna Roberts, Kansas
Children have the right to protection by federal and state laws but in many cases throughout our country and right here in Wichita Kansas many children are forced to visit or even live with their abuser. What is happening to our children is a crime in itself and it must be stopped. Children should have a voice and we adults must be their voice. Child abusers are great manipulators and the system falls right into their game. They blame the protective parent, of course, why not? We must demand that judges who oversee these cases are educated and competent to make decisions in children's lives. I am not a parent who has been scorned by a system nor am I a parent who is disgruntled. I am a citizen who truly cares what is happening to the children and their protective parents. It's time to start protecting children instead of giving the abuser free reign of the children. I thought we lived in America? The land of the free, tell this to every child who has to live with abuse everyday. Enough is Enough start protecting children and quit punishing the protective parent. ACRA-A Child's Rights Association www.achildsrights.com

Marlene Jones, Kansas
This is happening in Sedwick County, Kansas. The Sedgwick County DA refuses to prosecute the abusive parent and the Juvenile Judges give sole custody to the parent that has raped the child. It's time to stop. Everything that is in this petition is exactly what is happening here over and over again. The incentives that are given to CPS to remove the children is a big part of the system. Law enforcement removes a child on "probable cause" and the CPS social workers lie on the affidavits. The ADA's lie on the motions and the judges make rulings that are harmful to the child. I will join you to make the changes.

Susan Summers, Kansas
I am one of the many protective parents in Sedgwick County Ks who was a protective parent who lost custody of my daughter despite the state's own professional witnesses recommending she be returned to me immediately and that her father "more likely than not" molested her and that there was "an extreme amount of medical evidence of sexual abuse, especially for a child this age..." The state had her in foster care for two years, tried to coerce me into writing an "apology letter" to her for harming her and then gave her father full custody. I know at least 3 other women here in KS with stories exactly the same as mine. Sadly, there must be more, yet there is no accountability for the social workers or judges and no politicians or attorneys have the integrity to fight for the truth and for change.

Rodney Hoover MS Ed, Texas
It is time for ALL Americans to be protected, and not just those that are politically expedient.

Claudine Dombrowski, Kansas
www.AngelFury.org "Silent No More"

Sandra Dooley, Florida
maybe if someone and there was a lot of people who knew would of did something for me I would be a different person today.

Candace Pressley, North Carolina
These laws MUST change. My son was slapped multiple times by my ex husband. I have talked to several people, police officers, some doctors, and some from the child advocacy, all of them have said that he should have gotten a felony instead of misdemeanor. Child abuse is child abuse no matter what. Everyone said that its a miracle that my son was not dead. Now my ex is fighting the system that is now not working. I don’t want my son going back to him and wind up either worse or dead.

Holly Miller, Pennsylvania
My family knows first hand the impact that abuse takes on a child and family. I am so tired of hearing "we don't want to hear about the past just tell us why we should not let the father have custody/visitation"? However to completely understand the present you have to COMPLETELY explore the past and understand what lead the family hear today. Please don't shut out the children who really need the help, all because some people abuse the system. You will be doing the children a tremendous injustice... Let us trust the justice system again and know that the criminal/abuser does not walk free while the child suffers unnecessarily. Thank you

Deanna Downs, Pennsylvania
These laws must be changed. There are innocent children that rely on loving adults to prevent bad things from happening to them. Let's stop throwing our children away to the abusers that will ruin their lives.

Jennifer Brucher, Pennsylvania
It is time to return our children's innocence back to them. allow them to be children and not have to grow up before their time! no only should the protective parent get custody, but the pedophile should pay more consequences for their actions. these children have to live the rest of their lives with the effects of abuse, let alone be left with the abuser

Frances Chaffey, Australia
ALL PARENTS SHOULD HAVE THE RIGHT TO PROTECT THEIR CHILDREN AND KEEP THEM SAFE FROM ANY ABUSE OR OTHER PEOPLE WHO SET OUT TO HARM THEM. THEY ARE OUR FUTURE AND DESERVE TO BE CARED FOR .

Erika Sampson, New Hampshire
stop the hurt save the children and protect the parents who want to keep the children safe.

Lauren Stone, California
The rights of the CHILD supersede the 'right’ of an abusive parent to visitation. The act of abuse should negate visitation.

Tricia Lynch, Connecticut
This is no easy task. However, more investigative efforts need to be taken with small children under the age of three. Behavior is their only way of communicating and our only way of tracking concerns. Yes, it a long process, but one that must be done. Good Luck and I hope I can help.

Joseph Robitaille, South Carolina
Politicians should do what is proper for children. No child should be abused. I do not get why this goes on when it is found out.

Michelle Steele, Maryland
I live in the Baltimore area, and I'm sure you've heard about the dad who drowned his 3 kids in the tub in a hotel!! Well, the mother begged the courts and judges to take his visitation away, he repeatedly told her he was going to kill them so she would have to live without them. Well, she's living without them!!

Liz Holst, Florida
the children need our help.No loving parent should be denied the right to their child. our courts have gone wild with abusive parents gaining custody over the good parent.

Elizabeth Cook, Canada
It is madness to not listen to or scrupulously investigate a parent's disclosure of abuse of the family children. We have sent thousands and thousands of helpless children to live with their rapists.

Sharon Lavoy, New York
I feel very strongly about children who are made to go with abusive parents and that they should be far more taken care of and listened to

Robert Michael Andrews, Florida
Gone are the leather-belt days of parenting. children need to be protected against to much control by parents.

JEANNE ANTHONY, Maryland
I was a physically and mentally abused child, it left scars and you just don't know what it is like if it didn't happen to you... Jeanne Marie Anthony

Tiffini Flynn Forslund, Minnesota
I tried to protect my children in family court and lost custody. I am perfectly functioning parent and to lose custody is ridiculous and to have the battering continue through court system is horrendous.

Jimmy Lee Peikert, Texas
As a survivor, I beg that you do something to help those that are still trapped in this situation. When your self esteem is so low, you can't think straight to get out. Please help them help themselves.

D DeVenuto, California
It is high time the rights to a peaceful safe life for the child be placed above the rights of the parents.

Angela Martin, South Carolina
There are horror stories so grotesque, and so many mothers too scared to come forward, that it is imperative that everyone that loves a child sign this petition.

Nancy Reed, New Hampshire
It is imperative that anyone who cares about children should speak for the children they cannot speak for themselves, they need to be protected from abusive parents and outsiders but they also need to have judges listen to them and if they are to young to communicate then Judges should be intelligent enough to look at all the evidence presented to them. WAKE UP JUDGES AND LAW MAKERS, WE NEED LAWS TO PROTECT OUR CHILDREN AND JUDGES TO ENFORCE THOSE LAWS.

Judith Donegan, Tennessee
Are you aware that some mothers they get to get out of the situation and their are the kids left in the hands of someone the mom was afraid of, we had terrified tantrums and hysterical kids trying so hard to say in all ways please don't make me go and we still had to because the court says they don't know these kids everyone turned their head turned off their hearts they are to young to know they are being coward ok when do you think is the right time to look into the tears in a child’s eyes and hear what they want what they need they need to be seen heard and loved above all they are not pawns want then to have hearts hear theirs

From Michigan
We are put here to be a mother and that’s a natural instinct! To protect,nuture and love! Why can't the courts understand human nature. Too many hands in the cookie jar. Ends up destroying the fabric of our country's, well being! It's about the children’s well being. Which our the threads being cut off. Look at the whole being. Our children our suffering here here.Why can't you see the innocent being hurt.Our chidren?Enough is enough!!

Joanna Casey, New Hampshire
I agree with this petition and to save the children and give them the right to be safe.

From Oregon
GIVE THE RIGHTS TO THE CHILDREN AND PROTECTIVE PARENTS.

Valjean O'Neill, California
It is simple, a child’s best interest takes precedence over parents and all else.

Olivia Geri, New Jersey
I feel the system definitely needs to be reformed and children SHOULD have rights.

Mary Zoglio, Florida
THIS IS SOME THING WE ALL NEED TO FIGHT FOR,

Laura Zanoli, Italy
please help the children!!

Kathleen A.H., Arizona
Please protect the children. Some of them don't have the benefit of having their parents look out for their best interest, and we all need to step up to the plate on their behalf.

Becky Dooley, Virginia
anyone whose weak enough to harm a child, regardless of age, deserves to be locked up. This is when you see just how weak and selfish some people are.

Bri Hupp, Nebraska
I never have to worry about my parents neglecting me from love, support, or any of the necessary items such as food, water, clothing, or shelter. I do not know what it is like to be abused or neglected but I do know their are children that do. I want to speak up for them. Every child in this world should have a life full of love, fun, and happiness not, pain and depression. Some people think that it is not the parents fault and that it is the parents' parents fault. But the parents can take responsibility and be their own person. There are even some people that say it is the children’s fault, they are wrong. No child should ever have to endure cruel treatments. Please stop abuse and neglect, it's just not right.

Jennifer Shaw, California
I feel so strongly about this, as well. Children's rights and welfare should always come first. We absolutely must protect our most vulnerable.

Dr Jane Xu, Texas
I thoroughly support this petition! It is telling a story that is so true in real life from what I've personally known, with so much heart aches. While the protective parent and child(ran) are fighting miserably and often helplessly, the system keeps failing them and turns around to blame and punish them (Yes, children are getting blamed too by not being believed and instead being called lying), while the abusive parent is being well protected by the system under the name of parental rights, PAS, and "innocent" until proven guilty, etc. etc. More importantly and devastatingly, the children are being put back into the harms way (hands) of the abusive parent who now has court-granted protection and weapons against the protective parent, which further takes away the most viable protection (the rights of the protective parent) from the children... This is just not right!!!

Enric Mestres Girbal, Spain
I think sometimes the "State" is too quick in taking the children away from their parents. Before to take this step the "State" should be pretty sure about what is going on. Against child's abuse all the law's strength...but without forgetting that many times "facts" can be deceiving and "abuse" is not certified. The law should protect both, parents and children.

Birdie Bay, Arizona
This is the most heart breaking situation, courts revictomize children having them testify in front of criminals, cps has there hands tied if the criminal has money, it does destroy the lives of innocent children and family members, being caught in the system is reliving the night mare over and over again, even had attorneys tell me to drop a case because it will never happen again,

Lin Teachenor, Washington
All children deserve the highest form of protection. If a parent is abusing a child, the child needs to be heard and action must be taken for the safety of the child!

Victoria Kelly, Texas
My children were both molested! Me too! The courts did nothing! And we were in "the system"! WE MUST change this! Please send this far and wide!

Dr Kathi Ann H, Georgia
All children deserve to be protected from abusive adults. Protective parents should have the right to care for their children and protect them from an abusive parent.

Lisa Smith, Tennessee
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/5/in-support-of-lisa-and-bella-smith-2 here is my petition for the exact same thing. No how can we learn this, but Knoxville, TN Juvenile Court can't? Please sign mine also. ;)

Carol Swartz, Indiana
I'm living this right for my children and our safety for many years now with knowledge of a broken system that points fingers at one another. Stop the madness and remove parental rights in situations of violence.