There is an overwhelming, disturbing and very alarming number of women, men and children who are abused mental, verbally and emotionally on a daily basis. This is a form of abuse proven numerous times to cause more short term and long term damage to an individual then actual physical abuse does! http://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2014/10/13/21-warning-signs-of-an-emotionally-abusive-relationship/

   So many Michigan residents are experiencing this kind of trauma without the court's doing a thing about it. Apparently you must show signs of bruises, cuts, blood and more in order to claim abuse and actually have something done about it in this state and especially in that of Livingston county! It is a known and proven fact that those (especially children) who are mentally, emotionally and verbally abused by another individual go on to have long term symptoms such as: trouble overcoming the abuse; trouble forming tangible relationships with people; trouble forming bonds professionally and personally; recurring nightmares for years to come; depression; anxiety; learning disabilities in children and adults; PTSD; Stockholm Syndrome; suicide; self mutilation; ulcers; headaches; sleeping and eating issues; hyper-vigilance; stress related heart conditions along with alcohol and drug abuse and many others not named here. 

   Many abusers who use this form of abuse are actually individuals with some sort of Mental instability such as Narcissism which is a condition that often times comes from the way the person was raised; treated as a child and taught by their parents. They use this form of abuse and manipulation to prey on targets such as their significant other and children in order to create a self worth and power for themselves, a sense of control if you will. However, this need for self control, power and control is rarely satisfied easily and continues to grow which causes the abuser to become worse in their abusive tendencies and often times eventually matures into physical violence! 

   Unless we raise awareness on this subject and hold abusers not only accountable by punishment of jail, fines, etc. but also court order them to go into long term therapy for their condition then this abuse will continue to destroy lives and cause a vicious circle of chaotic events; injuries; deaths; suicides; law breaking; alcohol and drug addiction; and generations of individuals who either walk in fear every day of their lives or continue down the path of Narcissitic behavior and abuse. 

   I started this petition because I am victim of severe mental, emotional and verbal abuse and trauma by my ex fiance of seven years. His mental, emotional and verbal abuse added with physical violence towards me as well as sexual violence has caused PTSD; Stockholm Syndrome; minor depression; anxiety; hyper-vigilance; chronic migraines and stomach problems in myself along with anxiety in my two minor children who through the fault of Livingston County court system and Friend of the Court have been placed with their father because of my emotional state. So, not only did he cause these issues in myself and our children, but now he is being rewarded for such behavior by gaining control over our 4 year old little girl and our 6 year old son and is continuing his wrath and rage on them! 

   This is a very devastating and serious issue that needs to be addressed immediately by people in power and control who can actually make a difference but so far have chosen to turn a blind eye to the issue at hand! This is unacceptable and we all need to come together to stand up and state just that and demand that something be done about this to create real change and promise for those of us who have fallen victim to such a horrible abusive life style! I thank you all in advance for standing up with me on this very important and vital issue and letting our elected officials know that this simply CAN NOT CONTINUE to go on without ramifications!