As an advocate for children who have experienced abuse as well as being a victim. It is heartbreaking to know that when children are sexually abused by a parent or guardian and have a court-ordered visitation agreement in place, they still have to continue visits in the state of Indiana. When there is an open sexual abuse case children still continue visitations. This is not justice. This is retraumatization. 

Children should not be used as pawns in legal procedures when their safety and healing are at risk. When abuse allegations arise-especially sexual abuse—the law should protect the children first, not the rights of adults. No parent should have to watch their child walk back into a place of trauma because the system refuses to pause and protect.

I’m asking for immediate suspension of visitation rights when there is an active investigation for abuse. I am also asking that the Indiana Parenting Time guidelines be revamped to ensure that child safety takes precedence over parental visitiation rights in cases with abuse. A trauma-informed review board or advocate presence in family court decisions involving any abuse allegations. I ask lastly that laws that center child safety—not parental convenience or presumption of innocence in shared custody.

The facts are:

Over 60% of child sexual abuse victims know and live with their abuser.

Children forced to continue contact with their abuser have a significantly higher risk of PTSD, depression, and suicide ideations.

Help us push for legislation that reflects what’s right, not just what’s routine. Sign. Share. Be a voice for children that can’t protect themselves.