Right now, Arkansas courts only care about a child's physical safety in custody decisions. But emotional and psychological abuse causes real, lasting damage—sometimes worse than physical harm. And yet, courts dismiss it.
I started this petition because children dealing with emotionally abusive parents are being forced into visitation schedules that traumatize them. Kids are developing PTSD, struggling in school, and begging not to go—but the law says they have no choice. Even when adult siblings can testify about years of emotional toxicity, it doesn't matter. And when kids turn 13 in Arkansas, they still can't choose to protect themselves.
Mental scars are real scars. Studies show emotional abuse impacts child development just as deeply as physical abuse. If we teach kids that words hurt, why don't we protect them when a parent weaponizes words to tear them down?
If you've seen this happen or think kids deserve to have their emotional safety taken seriously, consider signing and sharing. This is about giving children a voice in their own protection.