Children exposed to the family courts will be protected from harm under plans by the Government to repeal the presumption of parental involvement (22 October)
The repeal is founded on the clear principle that every child deserves to be safe – yet new evidence published today shows that assuming it’s always in the best interest of a child to have the involvement of both parents can perpetuate abuse.
ADVERTISEMENT: Send Money Worldwide with Wise – Get a Free Transfer!
Although the current law includes safeguards to restrict involvement where it’s detrimental to a child’s welfare, removing this law sends a clear signal that the Government is placing the wellbeing and safety of children at the forefront of decision making.
The change follows the tireless campaigning of Claire Throssell, whose children Jack and Paul were tragically killed by their abusive father 11 years ago this week.
Deputy Prime Minister, David Lammy, said:
If parents are thought to be a threat to their child’s safety, involvement in their lives can be restricted, for example through courts ordering supervised contact, involvement limited to written communication, or by ordering that there should be no involvement at all.
Claire Throssell, MBE, survivor ambassador of Women’s Aid, comments:
This is the latest action to tackle abuse in the Family Courts and improve the experience and outcomes for children. Earlier this year, the Government expanded a pilot of a novel approach to the family courts, known as “Pathfinder” courts, which aims to improve the court experience and outcomes for children and parents involved in private family law proceedings - including those who have experience of domestic abuse.
ADVERTISEMENT: Send Money Worldwide with Wise – Get a Free Transfer!
Farah Nazeer, Chief Executive of Women’s Aid, said:
Earlier this week, the Government also announced plans to automatically restrict the exercise of parental responsibility in cases where a person with parental responsibility has been convicted of a serious sexual offence against any child, and where a child is born of rape.
Protecting both mothers and children, these amendments to the Victims and Courts Bill are crucial on the government’s mission to halve violence against women and girls in a decade.
ADVERTISEMENT: Send Money Worldwide with Wise – Get a Free Transfer!
Justice Minister, Baroness Levitt KC, said: