Change how our system conducts and awards custody of children-the system is wrong

I'm a recently divorced Mom of two boys, ages 3 & 6. During the separation with my ex, he petitioned the court to approve a custody evaluation. The request was granted and our custody evaluation began.

Throughout the following months, the evaluator conducted the interviews between myself, my ex and his live in girlfriend. Except for the interviews conducted at the evaluator's office, not including the children, she did not perform any of the regulations and requirements expected of an evaluator, and awarded joint custody even though there was evidence of verbal, emotional, mental and sexual abuse (both to myself and my two sons). She was biased in her evaluation and did not follow protocol.

To add insult to injury when I inquired if I could contest the evaluator's findings/reommendation for custody, I was informed that it would cost thousands of dollars to contest and there was no guarantee the judge would side with me. In fact I was told that there was more chance of the judge agreeing with the evaluator's findings regardless of contrary reasons that the custody should not be awarded as it was.

Added to that, I was also informed that custody evaluator's across the board were awarding joint custody to everyone requesting evaluations, irregardless of the situation, conditions of the homes or safety of the children. The term "best interest of the children" has become twisted and lost to the "political" views and "ideals" of people not taking into consideration the conditions children are living in, what they are going through and what really happens when there isn't anyone "watching".

The system is not working in the best interest of the people, and protects the evaluator's and judges from their findings and recommendations, leaving the families and children at the mercy of their findings. Children are forced to go to homes where there is parental alienation, verbal abuse, mental abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, physical abuse, manipulation, coercion, alcoholism and so much more and there is no escape from it or relief from it thanks to a custody decree that did not evaluate as needed and required.

I am not the only parent that has been dealt this kind of injustice and biased ruling. Other parents have experienced this and been told the same thing I have, that there isn't a chance to change it, that in order to contest you must pay thousands of dollars (even though the possibility it will do any good is low), and they are fighting a losing battle.

I am looking for other parents who have suffered this injustice and wish to change how our system is operating and working and want the law to actually fight for the ones who have no voices, let's spread the word. Sign the petition and let the government know that it's time to change. It''s time for the government to protect the children and put their best interests really to heart.