I am a victim of domestic violence, and my children are victims of child abuse. I was forced by Missouri to stay with my abusive husband. The dire prospect of being charged with kidnapping was too daunting, as I was warned of intending to flee from the toxicity unraveled by him. Feeling stranded in a state where my beloved family was beyond my reach, I had no option but to stay put, attempt to guard my children from any harm, and preserve our unity. One day, however, my husband took away our children, bolstered by the state law's blind eye towards potential abuse. The current law exposes my children to the prospect of living with their abuser.

Missouri State law maintains a 50/50 custody standard with the good intent of fostering a meaningful relationship between a child and both parents after a divorce. Unfortunately, the same law has opened doors to potential harm for children. It disregards the existence of abusive parents, allowing them the privilege of visitation and custody. This law often results in children being ripped away from the safer parent, as in my case. Tragically, some children even lose their lives due to these court-sanctioned custody decisions.

We understand that positive involvement of both parents is essential for a child's well-being, but this must not be at the expense of their safety. We need future-proof legislation that finely balances the need for significant relationships with child safety protocols and mitigates the risk in handling custody issues.

Today, I am fighting, not just for my children, but for all children in Missouri who may find themselves in similar catastrophic circumstances. We need a collective call for Missouri's lawmakers to reassess and reform current custody laws. Let's protect our children and ensure their safety in the loving arms of the rightful parent while keeping the abusive one at bay. Parents who are focused on providing a safe and loving environment for their children must not be penalized. Voice your support for this cause – sign the petition today for safeguarding the children of Missouri from abuse.