FFP 49: The Good Old Boy Shield:A Parent’s Battle for Her Child - Part 1

🎙️ Episode Summary

In this emotional episode of the Fractured Families Podcast, Charity speaks with Sarah and her partner Sonny about Sarah’s long, painful battle against coercive control, manipulation, and parental alienation at the hands of her ex-husband, a police officer. Sarah shares her journey from childhood friendship to marriage, and then into a marriage marked by control, surveillance, and intimidation. She opens up about leaving the relationship, being denied access to her daughter, and facing years of custody battles shaped by systemic bias in favor of law enforcement. Together with Sonny, they recount how Justin’s power within the police system enabled him to alienate Sarah from her child, dismiss her evidence in court, and create fear and instability. This episode sheds light on the devastating reality of how authority and influence can weaponize the family court system against a parent, while also highlighting Sarah’s resilience and determination to keep fighting for her relationship with her daughter
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💡 Talking Points

1. The Early Marriage & Shift to Control
   • Sarah’s marriage to her ex-husband began normally but quickly became marked by surveillance, emotional abuse, and controlling behaviors once he became a patrol officer.
2. The Escape & First Attempts at Divorce
   • Sarah describes planning her escape like a hostage, hiding belongings until she left in the middle of the night.
3. Custody Battles & Systemic Injustice
   • Courts granted her ex-husband primary custody under vague or biased rulings, despite her willingness to co-parent peacefully.
   • Evidence of violations was ignored, with judges and hearing officers seemingly protecting law enforcement ties (“good old boy system”).
4. Patterns of Alienation
   • Sarah’s daughter was initially bonded and happy with her, but alienation emerged through questioning, fear tactics, and subtle undermining
5. Psychological Toll on the Child
   • Sarah and Sonny describe how her daughter developed anxiety and physical symptoms (headaches, vomiting) connected to pressure from her father before visits..

✅ Key Takeaways

• Coercive control often escalates once power dynamics shift (e.g., her husband’s entry into law enforcement).
• Systemic bias in family courts can shield perpetrators with authority, leaving targeted parents without justice.
• Alienation behaviors may seem small but accumulate into damaging patterns that reshape the child’s view of the targeted parent.
• Children often internalize pressure and guilt physically, showing signs of distress before transitions.
• Support systems matter: Having an ally like Sonny provided Sarah with strength, stability, and hope.
• Parental alienation isn’t always loud or obvious—sometimes it’s subtle manipulation masked as concern.

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🎙️ Let’s rebuild fractured families.

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