The burden of proof in family courts lies on women proving their innocence against false claims, rather than on fathers providing evidence. A man's word seems to be all that's required.

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On December 9th, 2022, my children were taken from me. I had been their primary custodial parent since birth, and there was a long history of domestic violence from their father toward me and the kids. 

DCF had been involved for years, even threatening to charge me with ‘failure to protect’ because the court forced me to send the children back to their father. Family court ignored the danger.

That day, after dropping my kids off at school, I went to pick them up and was served a 209a by the police. My ex-husband and his new wife falsely accused me of nearly killing my children through physical abuse. 

Since then, I have fought every day to clear my name, proving the accusations were not only false but impossible, as I was constantly in public with my kids; involved in school and sports, and surrounded by people during the times the claims were made.

Yet, for almost two years, I’ve been denied access to my children. My ex refuses therapy or services for them, and he has slandered my name, my partner’s name, and destroyed my career in Special Education. Despite documents from the police, District Attorney, and DCF proving he is the abuser, no one in family court listens. 

I can’t speak out publicly without risking my safety and my children’s. 

Mom in Massachusetts

Read by: Empowered Divorce Support Network

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