I always assumed that victims of injustice had avenues for complaint or appeal, and ultimately could overcome systematic abuses through collective activism… but the reality is much sadder and more complicated.
The abuse and corruption in family courts is real—by judges, GALs, reunification therapists, parenting coordinators, supervisors, and even attorneys. The experiences of family court victims often sound so outrageous and egregious; it’s hard to believe they are commonplace or that NOTHING is being done by legislators, judicial departments or the media to protect victims of abuse. But the reality is: family courts deal such a destructive blow of psychological and financial abuse, most victims are too traumatized to file appeals or complaints.
Here’s why, backed by what the research shows:
• Over 70% of family court litigants represent themselves, often because they’ve run out of money. Family court disputes can cost between $50,000 and $500,000 or more. Appeals can cost $15,000–$50,000+ and require legal precision most parents can’t manage alone.
• Family court decisions are rarely overturned. In many states, fewer than 10% of family law appeals succeed unless there’s clear legal error or misconduct—something hard to prove without transcripts, which cost thousands. Family court judges have such wide discretion, their decisions are nearly impossible to appeal even if one side has a mountain of compelling evidence. Family court judges have that much power and discretion— not to mention ”weighing factors” for decisions in family court  are often vague and contradicting. 
• Judicial oversight is minimal. In 2022, only 1.5% of formal complaints against state judges nationwide resulted in any public discipline. Most are dismissed or resolved in secrecy. Judicial fitness committees are made up of fellow judges, and colleagues, which creates an obvious conflict of interest. 
• Complaints often go back to the same system that caused the harm— meaning that appeals go back to the same biased judges. Parenting coordinators, GALs, supervisors and reunification therapists are rarely held accountable because they are protected by court appointment and private contracts that require immunity from suit—and there’s no centralized oversight. In Oregon, for example, the AFCC (Association of Family and Conciliation Courts) maintains close professional ties between corrupt attorneys, evaluators, supervisors and therapists in order to protect and perpetuate this lucrative industry. 
• Parents are told not to complain, and to pay the exorbitant bills of all of the court appointed affiliates who have insinuated themselves into a family court case, out of fear of retaliation. Attorneys often advise clients to “stay compliant” or “don’t stir things up,” warning that even valid complaints could be used as proof of “parental alienation” or non-cooperation. 
• The victims of the system are ultimately too traumatized to go back and fight it.  The mental and physical trauma creates a lifetime of collateral damage that leaves victims crawling away or running for their lives. 
The result is system where harm happens behind closed doors, and the people most affected feel powerless to speak out. Children are pawns whose voices are silenced systematically by the very people who are supposed to protect them. 
#onemomsbattle #familycourtcorruption #oregonfamilycourt #stopcourtabuse #custodypeace
GreatCosmicMothersUnite 