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Child Contact for Violent Fathers

What is domestic abuse?

Domestic violence is the abuse of one partner within an intimate or family relationship. It is the repeated, random and habitual use of intimidation to control a partner. The abuse can be physical, emotional, psychological, financial or sexual.

The Court’s approach to child contact for violent fathers.

 The Charity Women’s Aid campaigned due to statistics which identified that ’19 children have been killed in the last 10 years by their violent fathers after being given contact with them by judges.’

Reforms are being introduced into the Family Courts.

The Reforms aim to end the belief that a father has the right to engage in contact with a child when there is evidence of domestic abuse.

It is taken very seriously by Senior Judges to take steps in order to avoid contact with violent fathers that would ultimately put the child or mother at a high risk of harm.

The changes contain a demand for all the judiciary to have further training on domestic violence and to act to safeguard women and children.

Mr Justice Cobb announced the changes and stated ‘It is indeed most disturbing to note that for at least 12 children [in seven families]; of the 19 children killed … contact with the perpetrator [the father] was arranged through the family courts’.

Judges need to be more alert to perpetrators of domestic violence using the courts as a way to continue their abuse.

At BPS Family Law we work closely with families who have suffered domestic violence. We offer practical advice along with a compassionate approach. We achieve the best possible outcome for families.

If you’re looking for a lawyer to help you with any of the issues mentioned above, then you can get in touch with Caroline Swain by email caroline.swain@bpslaw.co.uk or by telephone on 0161 926 1430

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