Many domestic abuse victims who flee dangerous relationships will end up in the civil family courts. Whilst criminal law in the UK has advanced in recent years, and made coercive control a crime, family law remains in the dark ages. Perpetrators use the family courts to continue their cycle of abuse, and the outdated system enables it.
Read moreScottish Government Rejects Predatory American Family Court Association
Not many people in Scotland will have heard of the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (AFCC); their members don’t tend to advertise the acronym on their business card. In America, they get described as a family court cartel; a cabal. Their members include professionals who work in the family court industry; judges, lawyers, and those offering services such as contact centres, parenting education providers and expert witnesses. Delegates from well-known father’s rights groups are also in the networking association. Their members hold enormous power in family court disputes in the USA.
Read moreThe Children (Scotland) Bill: Welfare Reporters & Shared Parenting
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';
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