Resources
Knowledge is leverage. These laws, studies, and organizations support survivors and protective parents.
Get help now
National Domestic Violence Hotline — 1-800-799-7233
24/7, confidential. Text START to 88788. thehotline.org
Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline — 1-800-422-4453
Support and crisis intervention for concerns about a child's safety.
WomensLaw.org
Plain-language legal information by state, including custody and protective orders. womenslaw.org
Laws & reforms to know
Keeping Children Safe From Family Violence Act ("Kayden's Law")
Part of VAWA 2022. Encourages states to limit "reunification" practices, require evaluator training in domestic violence and child abuse, and prioritize child safety in custody decisions. Learn more
Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) 2022 Reauthorization
Includes provisions supporting survivors in family court and funding for trauma-informed practices.
The Saunders Study (U.S. DOJ / NIJ)
Research showing many custody evaluators and judges lack adequate knowledge of domestic violence, leading to unsafe outcomes. A key citation when challenging an evaluation.
Organizations & advocacy
National Safe Parents Organization
Coalition of parents and professionals behind Kayden's Law and state reforms. nationalsafeparents.org
DV LEAP (Domestic Violence Legal Empowerment and Appeals Project)
Appellate legal advocacy for survivors and the home of the Meier custody research. dvleap.org
Center for Judicial Excellence
Tracks child safety in family courts and pushes for accountability. centerforjudicialexcellence.org
National Family Violence Law Center (GWU)
Research and advocacy on family courts and abuse. nfvlc.org
Courageous Survivors
Community and storytelling for protective parents. courageoussurvivors.org
National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV)
Policy, resources, and survivor support. ncadv.org
Research & data
Meier et al. (2019) — alienation & abuse custody outcomes
The largest U.S. empirical study of custody outcomes when abuse is alleged. Read on SSRN
Saunders et al. (2012) — DOJ / NIJ
Federal study on evaluators' beliefs and training gaps in domestic violence. Read the report (PDF)
Plain-language summary
See our Evidence page for an accessible breakdown with sources.
If you're challenging an evaluation
Document everything
Dates, communications, the time the evaluator actually spent with you, and what was left out of the report.
Ask about training
Request the evaluator's qualifications and domestic-violence training on the record.
Seek a DV-informed attorney or advocate
WomensLaw and local DV coalitions can refer you. A trauma-informed expert can rebut a flawed report.