The Crisis in our Courts
Our family court systems are making life-altering decisions about children without understanding the profound psychological impact of their rulings.
35
35 courts in the country utilize trauma assessments...
​s
That means more than 5,000 don't...
61%
61% of kids in court have experienced trauma, but haven't been assessed...
​s
​
Courts, untrained in the nuances of family dynamics and childhood trauma make decisions in a vacuum, overlooking the profound psychological impact these disputes have on children.
The Hidden Damage
According to the National Child Traumatic Stress Network, children subjected to high-conflict parenting environments develop trauma-related symptoms at alarming rates. These symptoms create lasting psychological wounds, including:
​
-
Anxiety disorders that follow children into adulthood
-
Depression stemming from unstable family situations
-
Behavioral disorders that affect school and social relationships
-
Long-term psychological issues that could have been prevented
​
These are not inevitable outcomes. They are the direct result of a system that fails to consider the mental health needs of the children it's supposed to protect.
Our Solution
We demand comprehensive reform that puts children's psychological well-being at the center of family court decisions. It's time we move toward a trauma-informed family court system built around the following four pillars:
1
MANDATORY TRAINING
Require all family court judges to undergo comprehensive trauma-informed training to understand the psychological impact of their decisions on children.
2
EXPERT ASSESSMENT
Mandate that licensed mental health professionals assess children before any decisions that alter parenting arrangements are made.
3
EVIDENCE-BASED DECISIONS
Ensure all rulings are backed by scientific evidence and expert psychological analysis, not just legal precedent.
4
HOLISTIC APPROACH
Create a more equitable judicial process that considers the full impact of family dynamics on child development.
The Impact of Change
When family courts embrace trauma-informed practices, we create a future where:
CHILDREN ARE PROTECTED
Court decisions prioritize psychological safety and long-term well-being over convenience.
FAMILIES CAN HEAL
Evidence-based approaches help families navigate conflict more constructively.
JUSTICE SERVES
Legal decisions are informed by mental health expertise and scientific understanding.
SCIENCE GUIDES
Professional psychological assessment becomes standard practice, not an afterthought.
Every child deserves the chance for a stable and secure future, unmarred by preventable trauma stemming from legal ignorance...
​
This isn't just about legal reform—it's about moral responsibility.
​
We have the knowledge, the expertise, and the tools to do better. What we need now is the will to act...
Join us in demanding that Minnesota lead the way in protecting children through trauma-informed family court practices.