Narcissistic abusers are notorious for draining victims of self-esteem and positive self-image.

Across Arizona, a growing coalition of protective parents is refusing to stay silent about the failures of the family court system. These survivors have joined together to form the Arizona Safe Parents Organization (ASPO)—a new advocacy group working to reform laws and shift priorities from parental rights to child safety. I had the opportunity to sit down with ASPO to learn more about who they are, how they got started, and where they’re headed. What follows is their story—in their own words.

Many people in this community know exactly what it is to sit awake at night longing for an apology from someone who hurt you deeply. It is one of the most human things we can want, validation that what happened was wrong, acknowledgment that it was not our fault, hope that maybe it will never happen again.

Grand juries cannot investigate or second-guess the merits of court rulings, but they can investigate the operations and programs connected to the courts, as long as those fall under local government responsibility. For instance, a grand jury would not weigh in on whether a particular child custody decision was right or wrong, but it could examine whether a court-appointed contractor (like a minor’s counsel or a counseling service paid with public funds) is adhering to their contract and ethical standards.

Coercive control can cause victims to feel uncomfortable, confused, and suspicious even in our own minds. Learning how to use your voice, trust yourself, and accept and live in reality are crucial steps in healing.

Overwhelm, exhaustion, and feelings of inadequacy are common for single parents. Struggle is most definitely a certainty. But survivors share that the emotional, physical, mental, and financial struggles of single parenthood don’t hold a candle to unbearable fatigue that comes with the abuser’s manufactured chaos.

When children resist spending time with an abusive parent, it’s not because the safe parent “turned them against” the abuser—it’s because of the abuser’s own actions. Coercive control, threats, manipulation, emotional neglect, and even witnessing abuse toward the other parent can create a climate where children feel unsafe, anxious, or outright afraid. These reactions are not manufactured by the protective parent—they’re a survival response.

The short answer is: yes—when you know what to look for. In high-conflict custody battles, knowledge isn’t just power—it’s protection. One of the most empowering steps a protective parent can take is learning how to profile the narcissist. This isn’t about labeling or diagnosing—it’s about strategy. It's about understanding the patterns, tactics, and behaviors that drive a narcissistic individual, so you can anticipate what’s coming and prepare accordingly. When you know your opponent, you stop reacting and start responding.

Inside the guide, you’ll learn how reunification therapy operates in a legal and ethical gray zone; how court orders are drafted and manipulated to coerce compliance; how families are selected and exploited based on financial disclosures; and strategic ways to document, question, and push back.

In the Documentation System and Workshop at The Rulebook Academy, I walk you through every detail of the system I used—from creating a credible timeline of events to using email strategically, to organizing your documentation in a way that court professionals respect.

This isn’t just a course. It’s a roadmap for reclaiming control in a process designed to wear you down.

Financial abuse can make it feel impossible to access the support you need—whether it's therapy, legal consultations, coaching, or educational tools to help you navigate the family court system.

When we did the custody exchanges in public and I was alone, he would call me a whore and other degrading names. His face would contort with rage, and the children would often cry because they were terrified of him. But if I brought someone with me? He was on his best behavior—respectful, calm, controlled. That’s when I began to fully grasp the concept of impression management. It was never about the kids. It was about control. Always.

This year, as Reiser prepares for her Rhode Island run, she’s calling on the media to join her in amplifying this critical issue especially at the finish line because there is a new initiative this year. We are going to be wrapping up the run at the family court in Providence and this is because the underbelly of narcissistic abuse is the darkness and corruption that riddles family courts all over the world.

The tangled web that a narcissistic abuser weaves is enough to make anyone feel disoriented. So why all the little lies—the dumb stuff that really doesn’t matter?

Narcissists lie about small, inconsequential things for several reasons.

Over the years, the Lemonade Power Retreats have attracted survivors from across the globe. The retreats have been held at various retreat centers throughout the United States including Washington, Massachusetts, Arizona, and multiple locations in California.

Common sense would dictate that a detached narcissist, one who uses cold-shouldering, neglect, and silent treatments to control a partner, would be just fine with divorce. So why do so many survivors find that the narcissists who were the least involved in working on the marriage or family fight tooth and nail to create chaos and pain in the family court system?

Join us in Rhode Island: raising awareness of narcissistic abuse and the family court crisis.

Recognizing the signs early on is important - but did you know that narcissistic abusers use love-bombing tactics throughout the relationship to keep victims stuck?

Whether you’re two weeks, two years, two decades, or two lifetimes into a relationship with a narcissistic individual, it’s never too late to start recognizing the cycle of narcissistic abuse.

Bringing a child into the world should be a beautiful experience - but if you’re carrying the baby of a narcissist, it’s time to start safety planning.

Narcissistic abusers seek power and control over victims in order to maintain their self-imposed status as “center of the universe.”

As many of you know, my work through One Mom’s Battle has always been deeply personal. I entered this space not as a professional, but as a mother fighting to protect her children in a system that often fails to prioritize their safety. Over time, what began as a blog turned into a movement. For the past thirteen years, I’ve poured every ounce of my heart and energy into helping others navigate the family court system and post-separation abuse.