I have seen first-hand the failures of our justice system as I beared witness to the Sedgwick County District Attorney and Wichita Public Schools refusal to assist a child that was being abused by his mother and step-father under the guise of "discipline". They left him deeply and widely bruised, beaten with a belt, and emotionally harmed and afraid, yet the authorities turned a blind eye. His school decided not to act or file a mandated report when concerns of abuse were brought to them stating it was "discipline", and even the Sedgwick County District Attorney Marc Bennett elected not to prosecute the perpetrators due to the current state statute's definitions of Child Abuse and the lack of definition for corporal punishment in current Kansas statutes. Despite the Department of Children and Families (DCF) acknowledging that abuse occurred, there hasn't been any meaningful action taken. 

This lack of justice is a clarion call that we need to urgently address the inconsistencies in our child protection laws. Failing to do so, we continue to let our children down, and we continue to allow perpetrators to go unpunished under vague definitions and inadequate penalties. Children should be granted and treated with the same legal respects as adults when abuse occurs and abuse against a child by a family member should be allowed to legally be pursued under the definitions of domestic abuse.

We call on Kansas lawmakers to take the following actions:

1. Align child abuse laws with DCF standards for more effective investigations. Our children deserve justice, not just acknowledgement.
   2. Set clear, humane limits on discipline. Discipline should never leave physical marks, never involve objects, and only be administered by biological parents.
   3. Expand domestic abuse laws to include child abuse to lead to stronger penalties and protections. Child abuse is domestic abuse, and our laws should reflect that.

Let's ensure Kansas children can grow in safe, supportive environments that openly condemns abuse in any form. Please, sign this petition, and let's fight for a better future for our children.