URGENT: In 2025, the parental rights movement is accelerating—fast. Laws are being passed across the U.S. that dismantle homeschool oversight and expand religious opt-outs, all under the claim of “protecting children" and "parental rights.” But this narrative ignores a critical truth: not all parents act in their child’s best interest—especially in high-control religions and cults where obedience to the church comes before child safety. These children are invisible to the system. This is real negligence by our government, and unless Congress acts now, more kids will be trapped, silenced, and unprotected.

I was raised in an isolated religious home—living like the Amish, barely homeschooled, abused, and denied medical care. No CPS. No teachers. No way out. Abuse was hidden behind “religious freedom” and “parental rights,” excuses that still allow children to suffer in silence today.

At 19, I joined a real Amish church to escape. Abuse there was rampant and covered up by church leaders. When I reported the bishop for sexual assault at 22, I was told: “We must respect his religious rights.”

This isn’t rare. And it’s not freedom.

Now in 2025, new “parental rights” and “religious freedom” laws are rolling out nationwide — weakening oversight and expanding opt-outs from basic education and child protection.

Supreme Court rulings like Mahmoud v. Taylor have opened a floodgate of potential religious opt outs, even if it prevents children from learning how to stay safe. Texas’s SJR 34, a constitutional amendment on the ballot this November, would make “parental rights” nearly untouchable—limiting the state’s ability to protect children. The Utah Homeschool Amendment (H.B. 209), passed in this year, removed the requirement for parents to submit an affidavit attesting to their criminal background history, including any child sexual abuse convictions. This crisis is growing — and the federal government must act.

That’s why I’m calling for a Federal Child Rights Act to close the loopholes in our system and protect all children, no matter their background or beliefs.

It’s a crisis no one in power wants to touch — too controversial, too politically risky. Meanwhile, children continue to suffer in silence.

This isn’t about protecting families. It’s about protecting power — at kids’ expense.

The U.S. is the only UN country that hasn’t ratified the Rights of the Child — and likely never will, due to misplaced fears over “sovereignty” and “parental rights.” That’s why we must act now, here at home.

 
 What the Federal Child Rights Act Should Do
These are not radical demands. They are the bare minimum.

The law must:

  -Expand Erin’s Law — require age-appropriate sexual abuse prevention education in all schools (public, private, religious, homeschool) with no opt-outs
  -Mandate abuse prevention training for all educators, clergy, and homeschooling parents
-  Enforce with real consequences:

Loss of tax-exempt status and public funds
-Non-recognition of diplomas from non-compliant schools or homeschools
-Criminal liability for mandated reporters and anyone who blocks or ignores reports of abuse

We need a Federal Child Rights Act—one that honors the Constitution but sets a national safety standard. Every child—regardless of religion, culture, or zip code—deserves basic protection from abuse and neglect.

Think of Ruby Franke, the Turpins, the Duggars, Warren Jeffs. I was one of those kids. And this is still happening — right now, across the country.

Homeschooling for religious reasons is at an all-time high. Some of those children are in danger — with no way out.

Kids must be taught how to recognize abuse and what to do. You can’t fight a disease without informing the vulnerable — and abuse is no different.

 
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