Hi SL-
You are very right in your assessment of the usefulness of media in your very real situation; exposure of this kind of reality does not sell papers or cause people to stay tuned in on their TV sets. As you said, the only "somebody" that can make a difference in your situation is you. Public exposure of your story would end up being damaging for your children in the long run as well, on many levels, so you are wise to keep yourselves away from the 3 ring circus of the "public eye" and being used as money bait for the betterment of media.
I am also a mom that has gone through shelters and the programs that are designed for protection of those who need it. During that time, my location was given to the person who was seeking me and the children inadvertently by a caseworker. When I found out that he knew, after I initially freaked out I decided that I was not put on this earth to mother two disabled children, only to have my life jeopardized by someone like the man I was dealing with. I changed my method of dealing with the situation and decided that the only way I could break the cycle was to face things head on and be the last mom standing.
This was one decision I have not regretted.
It took seven years of harassment from the ex, courtdates rescheduled, years of magically lost court documents (by the last hearing I ended up having to carry a crate in with copies of everything just in case another document was "lost"), and hearings that did not seem to go my way but in the long run worked in my favor, and bull**** legalities to finally reach a resolve... when I walked out of the final hearing I was the last mom standing... until I reached my car then I boo-hooed like a baby
Anyway, SL, not that my story is your story, but I just want to encourage you to keep a good head on your shoulders; that if you are strategic and methodical in your approach with the courts, you will be speaking their language and you will help your case.
Hysterical, stressed out mom's are a dime a dozen. Those who walk through fire and press on, give to their children and others with a humble and gracious servant's heart, become involved in helping others in a healthy way as we help ourselves... well that brings healing to our hearts and our homes. It just so happens that these kinds of things get noticed by the courts as well... especially when years pass and you have kept your composure, improved yourself and the kids in a measurable way, and he is still carrying on like he always has. This is one way to be the last mom standing.
Love and hugs,
K3