It’s common sense that we should protect women and children from gun violence in the home. But that rule doesn’t apply if you’re in Family Court - where you must force your children into dangerous situations and you cannot challenge it. Afterall, it’s their father, as this Nevada mom shares.

Read by Elle Kamihira, Author, Producer and Podcast Host of Subject to Power

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There are many parts to my story, including ongoing harassment by my Ex and his lawyer to drag me back to court for joint custody. 

They’re currently denying that our custody agreement even exists, or trying to twist its “interpretation.” He and his attorney have “papered me to death.” 

I am now pro se and facing imminent legal action. This has had a tremendous impact on my mental and physical health. I’m feeling all the effects and very alone in this continued battle to keep my daughter safe. 

My child's father became increasingly abusive after her birth, becoming dangerously violent. He shot an AR-15 near us in our home while intoxicated. 

I secured primary custody with supervised visitation due to recordings of him admitting to driving under the influence with our child in the car and making threats of homicide if I left him. However, a reunification therapist coerced my child into visiting him at his house, leading her to express suicidal thoughts for months. 

Court and therapy “professionals” keep advising me to remain silent about the domestic violence and encourage my daughter to trust her dad, despite her having valid reasons to be terrified. She draws images of her father killing us and cries before bed that she fears he may break into our home. 

It deeply troubles me that family court and child therapists believe having him in her life is in her best interest, when it clearly harms her. 

Mom in Nevada

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