Liam McArthur MSP has proposed well-intentioned amendments to the Children (Scotland) Bill for the debate timetabled for the 25th August. His amendments are concerning shared parenting and child welfare reporters in particular. The amendments sound reasonable, at first, but let me explain why they would, in fact, be harmful to victims of abuse, particularly mothers and children.
Read more#TheCourtSaid, "The Welfare Of The Child Is The Paramount Consideration."
I recently joined forces with The Court Said, the campaign for survivor family justice. I joined because Scotland's system faces similar problems to the justice systems in England & Wales, Ireland, the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and other particular countries. The courts in these countries harm vulnerable victims of abuse. I will strive to continue the excellent work of my Scottish #thecoursaid campaigners and hope that together we can make a positive impact; not just for the victims of abuse currently in the system, but for those who enter the system in the future.
Read moreFamily Courts Allow Perpetrators To Weaponize the System: They Have Betrayed Mothers & Children
Psychologically unsafe and violent fathers are using the family court system to terrorise mothers. When a dangerous father can no longer wield power and control in the home, they revert to using the family court to continue their torment and abuse. Some judges and welfare reporters are abusing their position to protect and assist dangerous fathers at the expense of the safety of children.
Read moreHow to Beat the Bias in the Family Court
The family court can be a brutal environment for a mother who claims that her ex's abusive behaviour is causing her child to resist contact. There is a systemic bias in the system, and mothers are often approached with scepticism. Here are some critical points to consider if you have no option but to fight for the safety of your child and try to 'beat the bias';
Read moreIntractable Contact Disputes and Domestic Abuse: What Judges Need to Understand
In Intractable contact disputes (high conflict), the judge has a difficult decision to make, and one in which they shall seek expert advice to assist them. The Family Court and professionals involved can benefit from a deeper understanding of the changing behaviours in our society and how to recognise them in difficult cases; what appears to be an intractable contact dispute may in fact be a domestic abuse (risk) case; a good understanding of coercive control is required to make a contact decision which keeps the child safe from harm.
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