If you are working through a dispute over child custody, there are many different hurdles you likely have to overcome, such as tough emotions and uncertainty over various legal issues. However, some parents are in a particularly difficult position because they are worried about an abusive parent securing custody rights and access to their child. Moreover, some parents worry about a child’s safety during these battles and if you are concerned about your child’s well-being, you need to take steps to protect them.
Fortunately, by carefully preparing for a custody case and looking into other strategies (such as obtaining a restraining order), many parents are able to protect their children and secure a favorable custody result.
Looking at child abuse and custody decisions
According to the Child Welfare Information Gateway, there are a host of factors that courts go over when making custody decisions. However, if a parent is found to have abused his or her child, this can prevent them from securing custody rights. When it comes to determining the best interests of a child, abuse and neglect can play a key role in a court ruling and it is imperative to bring these concerns to the court’s attention.
Looking at the impact of abuse
Neglect and abuse can have a detrimental impact on children in many different ways. Aside from threatening a child’s physical safety, abuse and neglect can create long-term emotional hardships and parents need to take steps to safeguard their children. Unfortunately, some parents are worried about retaliation and they fail to bring up instances of child abuse in court, potentially opening the door to additional mistreatment down the road.
