Patterns of Intimidation: Gaslighting and Procedural Abuse in Family Law

In the matter of Vetter v. Vetter, et al. (Case HRPM-MMAPAUUA), a critical legal precedent (2026 ND 36) brings to light the delicate balance between parental rights and child safety. However, when viewed through the lens of human rights research, the case reveals how psychological harm and gaslighting can be masked by legal terminology.

Key Findings

The Right of the Child: Parenting time is correctly identified not as a 'privilege of the parent,' but as a 'right of the child.'

The Preponderance of Evidence: The restriction of parenting time requires evidence of physical or emotional endangerment. In many cases of systemic abuse, this 'emotional health' aspect is the site of intense gaslighting.

Procedural Waiver: The ruling that arguments not adequately briefed are 'waived' often disadvantages victims of domestic abuse who may lack the resources for sophisticated legal representation.

Psychological Warfare and Legal Tactics

Mapping the incidents of intimidation documented in HRPM-MMAPAUUA, we see a pattern of 'Procedural Irregularity' similar to those found in the Danish Thanvi (HRPM-DTH20160) case. In the family law context, this manifests as the tactical withholding of visitation or the use of litigation to financially and emotionally exhaust the opposing parent. This is a form of 'Justice Delayed, Justice Denied' that impacts the child’s well-being.

Legal Framework

CRC Article 9: The right of a child to maintain personal relations and direct contact with both parents on a regular basis, except if it is contrary to the child's best interests.

ICCPR Article 17: Protection from arbitrary or unlawful interference with his privacy, family, home or correspondence.

Analysis of Injustice

The severity of 'Medium' in this case file underestimates the long-term impact of 'parenting time restriction' when used as a weapon in a broader campaign of intimidation. The intersection of economic coercion (as seen in the BCG takeover cases) and emotional abuse in family court creates a multi-front assault on the human rights of the individual. Read the full case file on HRPM.