“Breaking the Silence” Report Documents Experiences Across Nearly Two Decades of Family Court Cases

Denver, CO – August 27, 2025 – Project Justice USA today released “Breaking the Silence: A National Survey Documenting Family Court System Impacts on Children and Families Through 2,072 Survivor Experiences,” the largest comprehensive survey of its kind examining family court experiences from the perspective of participants who navigated the system between 2006 and 2025.

The report presents analysis of responses from 2,072 family court participants, with 93.9% identifying as mothers and 92% as survivors of domestic violence or coercive control. The data reveals consistent patterns of concern regarding court processes, outcomes, and long-term impacts on both children and families.

Key Findings Include:

System Effectiveness: When asked to rate family court effectiveness in addressing domestic violence and child safety concerns, 78% of respondents selected “Not Effective,” the lowest possible rating on a 5-point scale.

Child Impact: The survey documented that 96% of children experienced negative consequences from family court proceedings, with 92% suffering emotional or psychological distress and 40% experiencing self-harm or suicidal thoughts.

Evidence and Investigation: Participants reported challenges with evidence consideration, with 79% indicating evidence was excluded or dismissed, and 72% stating that abuse allegations were not sufficiently investigated.

Long-term Consequences: The data shows significant long-term impacts, with public assistance utilization increasing from 17% before family court involvement to 83% afterward, and 98% of respondents expecting lasting emotional impacts on their children.

Voice and Participation: Regarding children’s participation in decisions affecting them, 76% of respondents reported that children’s voices, disclosures, desires, and wishes were not heard or acted upon by family court professionals.

Honoring Participant Courage

“The 2,072 individuals who participated in this survey demonstrated remarkable courage in sharing their experiences,” said Christine McGinley, founder of Project Justice USA. “Their willingness to document these difficult experiences represents their love for their children and a collective effort to ensure that the realities of family court involvement are understood and that future families might benefit from improved processes.”

The survey participants invested significant time providing detailed responses about their experiences, with many offering extensive narrative accounts alongside quantitative data. Their participation spans cases across nearly two decades, providing both historical perspective and contemporary relevance.

Methodology and Scope

The survey was conducted between November 30, 2024, and August 18, 2025, capturing experiences from family court cases initiated between 2006 and 2025. The majority of respondents (71%) experienced court involvement lasting 2-10 years, with cases spanning multiple states and judicial jurisdictions.

While the survey represents self-reported experiences rather than verified court outcomes, the consistency of patterns across thousands of responses from diverse geographic locations and time periods provides substantial insight into participant perspectives on family court processes and outcomes.

Reform Recommendations

Based on the data collected, survey participants identified several priority areas for system improvement:

• 96% recommended enhanced judicial training on abuse dynamics
• 88% called for greater accountability for court-appointed professionals
• 85% supported increased resources for domestic violence survivors
• 58% experienced additional safety incidents involving children AFTER custody determination with 40% of children disclosed new abuse incidents post-custody and only 12% of children’s voices were heard or considered. Implementation of safety-first judicial protocols that prioritize child protection over parental access rights when credible domestic violence and abuse allegations exist.

About the Report

“Breaking the Silence” represents a volunteer effort to elevate voices that have historically been marginalized in policy discussions about family court reform. The comprehensive analysis aims to inform evidence-based discussions about system improvements while honoring the experiences of those who navigated these challenging proceedings. Additionally, the report seeks to encourage academic researchers to conduct deeper investigations into this crisis, which extends beyond the United States to family court systems around the world.

The full report is available for download at www.projectjusticeusa.com

About Project Justice USA

Project Justice USA is dedicated to amplifying the voices of vulnerable families navigating the family court system. Founded by Christine McGinley, the organization focuses on data-driven advocacy to support families seeking safety and stability through the courts.

Media Contact: Project Justice USA: Email: projectjusticeusa@gmail.com Website: www.projectjusticeusa.com