As a survivor of the family court system, I have experienced firsthand the dangers that can arise from its current structure. My children and I were put at risk due to decisions made by judiciary and statutory agencies who failed to recognise and address domestic violence in family courts proceedings sufficiently. This is not an isolated incident but a systemic issue that has resulted in many children being placed in unsafe situations, with perpetrators of domestic abuse, sometimes with fatal consequences.

Family courts often order unsafe contact with perpetrators of abuse, even when warnings have been issued about their coercive controlling behaviour behavior,  even where they have had sight of their criminal convictions for violent crimes against women and children or proof they have served custodial sentences for sexual offences against children or woman.

These individuals use the court system as a means to continue their post-separation abuse on their victims. Judges frequently overlook signs of domestic violence and prioritise parental rights over child safety.
In 2016, Womans Aid determined that 19 children had been killed by an abusive parent, over a 10 year period, where the court had ordered contact with a perpetrator. The judges or statutory agencies were not held accountable.This isn't acceptable.
We call upon policymakers and judicial authorities to ensure that the judges, and statutory bodies are held accountable for missed opportunities where children and adults have been murdered, committed suicide or suffered serious harm, as a consequence of not following procedures and legislation correctly. We urge them to provide comprehensive training for judges and statutory agencies on recognising signs of domestic abuse and prioritising child safety above all else. We also demand greater transparency and accountability within these systems so that no more children are put at risk or lose their lives due to unsafe court-ordered contact.

Please sign this petition if you believe that every child deserves protection from harm within our justice system.