Tyrie Strong Speaks on Coercive Control and Child Custody Protections Before Idaho Task Force

On October 24, 2025, Tyrie Strong spoke before the Idaho Child Custody & Domestic Relations Task Force about the difficult balance courts must consider when abuse, coercive control, and child custody overlap. Her remarks focused on the importance of protecting survivors while also ensuring that allegations are handled carefully, fairly, and with enough process to protect parents and children from harmful outcomes.

Coercive control can be difficult to explain in a courtroom because it often involves patterns of behavior rather than one isolated incident. It may include manipulation, intimidation, monitoring, isolation, financial control, threats, and other behaviors that limit a person’s freedom and safety. In custody cases, those patterns can matter deeply because they may affect not only the survivor, but also the children caught in the middle.

During her remarks, Tyrie addressed the need for courts to approach findings of coercive control with careful legal safeguards. She discussed the importance of requiring an evidentiary hearing before a finding of coercive control is made, rather than relying only on temporary hearings, ex parte civil protection order proceedings, or affidavits alone. This kind of process gives the court a fuller opportunity to hear evidence, evaluate credibility, and understand the broader context of the family’s situation.

Tyrie also discussed the standard of proof used when abuse or coercive control is alleged. These questions are not simple. A standard that is too difficult to meet may leave some survivors unable to prove what happened, potentially resulting in significant parenting time with an abusive parent. At the same time, strong procedural safeguards can help protect against situations where a victim is falsely framed and risks losing meaningful access to their children.

This is why family law reform requires care, nuance, and a clear understanding of how abuse shows up in real families. Courts must be able to recognize coercive control and domestic violence, but they must also have reliable processes for evaluating evidence and protecting the rights of everyone involved. When children’s safety and parental rights are both at stake, the legal system must be thoughtful, consistent, and focused on the long-term well-being of the child.

Strong Family Law’s work is rooted in that same balance. Tyrie Strong advocates for survivors of domestic violence and coercive control while also recognizing the importance of careful legal process, clear evidence, and court decisions that protect children without creating unnecessary harm. Her advocacy reflects a commitment to improving Idaho’s family court system so that survivors, protective parents, and children receive the meaningful protection they deserve.

If your family law case involves domestic violence, coercive control, custody concerns, or child safety issues, you do not have to navigate the process alone. Strong Family Law can help you understand your options, organize your concerns, and take the next step toward safety and stability.