Why This Petition Matters
Every child deserves to grow up safe, heard, and protected—not just from physical harm, but from the invisible wounds of psychological manipulation and coercive control. Yet, in Texas and across the United States, our family law system lags behind science and common sense. It fails to recognize the devastating impact of emotional abuse, gaslighting, and professional complicity in child custody and welfare cases.

The FM21-002424 case in Travis County, Texas, is a heartbreaking example. Despite clear evidence of psychological manipulation, secrecy, and professional misconduct, the system failed to protect two young boys from confusion, distress, and trauma. The professionals charged with safeguarding their well-being—therapists, guardians ad litem, and even the courts—ignored or minimized outcries, withheld critical information, and allowed one parent to weaponize secrecy and professional relationships to the detriment of the children.

This is not an isolated incident. Across Texas and the nation, countless families face similar barriers when trying to protect their children from non-physical forms of abuse. The law must change.

We call on the Texas Legislature—and urge national policymakers to follow suit—to enact the following reforms:

1. Recognize Psychological Manipulation and Coercive Control as Child Abuse
Amend Texas Family Code § 153.002 and related statutes to explicitly define psychological manipulation, gaslighting, and coercive control (as recognized by the DSM-5 and federal law) as forms of child abuse and grounds for custody modification and protective orders.

2. Mandate Professional Accountability and Transparency
Require all court-appointed professionals (guardians ad litem, therapists, custody evaluators) to:

Disclose all conflicts of interest and prior professional relationships.
Document and report all outcries of abuse or manipulation, regardless of perceived credibility.

Face disciplinary action and potential license suspension for ignoring, minimizing, or retaliating against reports of abuse.

3. Ensure Equal Access and Due Process
Prohibit financial coercion, such as requiring one parent to pay all fees for court-appointed professionals without a judicial finding of bad faith.

Guarantee that all relevant evidence—including video, audio, and child outcries—is admitted and reviewed in custody and abuse proceedings.

4. Adopt DSM-5-Informed and Trauma-Informed Protocols
Require annual training for judges, GALs, and therapists on psychological abuse, coercive control, and trauma-informed care.

Mandate the use of DSM-5 criteria in evaluating claims of emotional abuse and manipulation.

5. Establish Independent Oversight
Create an independent ombudsman or review board to investigate complaints of professional misconduct, bias, or systemic failure in child welfare cases.

Why Now?

Federal law—including the Violence Against Women Act (34 U.S.C. § 12291) and Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (45 C.F.R. § 1370.2)—now recognizes coercive control and psychological abuse as forms of domestic violence. States like Washington, New Jersey, Vermont, Hawaii, Colorado, and Missouri have begun to update their laws to reflect these realities. Texas must not fall behind.

The FM21-002424 case is a wake-up call. Without reform, more children will suffer in silence, and more families will be torn apart by a system that fails to see the full picture of abuse.

What You Can Do
Sign this petition to demand that Texas lawmakers:

Recognize psychological manipulation and coercive control as actionable abuse.
Hold professionals accountable for complicity and misconduct.
Ensure every child’s right to safety, truth, and a voice in the system meant to protect them.
Share this petition with your network, advocacy groups, and on social media.
Contact your state legislators and urge them to sponsor and support these reforms.

Together, We Can Protect Texas Children
Let’s make Texas—and the nation—a leader in protecting children from all forms of abuse. Let’s ensure that no family has to endure what the FM21-002424 family endured. Let’s demand a system that puts children’s well-being, truth, and justice first.

Sign now. Share widely. Be the change.