**Trigger Warning:  This episode discusses child sexual abuse and symptoms of it.**

On this #SurvivorStories series episode, our guest is “Courtney,” a survivor of domestic and institutional abuse.  Courtney speaks to us about her experience navigating the family court, child welfare, medical and mental health systems, as a protective mom of a son who was allegedly physically abused, neglected, and sexually abused by his father.  We explore the ways in which family courts ignore evidence of abuse, minimize it, and act as a source of institutional abuse and re-traumatization for victims and their children.  We also look at the impact it has on the protective parent, child, and society as a whole.  Throughout our conversation, we ask "Courtney" to share #abusertactics, #signsofabuse, and #upstandertips.

During our conversation, "Courtney" and I referenced the following resources and topics:

• How abusers often use pets as a source of coercive control
• How the family court disbelieves survivors' claims of abuse, especially when it's mothers reporting, and then penalize them for speaking out
• How coercive control is a form of intimate partner terrorism

---

Thanks for tuning in to the en(gender)ed podcast!

Be sure to check out our en(gender)ed site and follow our blog on Medium.

Join our feminist community of survivors, advocates and allies!

Consider donating because your support is what makes this work sustainable.

Please also connect with us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

Don’t forget to subscribe to the show!