Ensure fair child maintenance for domestic abuse survivors
The Issue
My personal journey through domestic abuse and child maintenance struggles has mirrored that of my mother’s, 37 years ago. As a survivor of domestic violence, I made the difficult decision to leave the toxic relationship for the safety of my child and myself. Yet, much like my mother, I was confronted with the arduous task of fighting for child maintenance to ensure my child could thrive.
Despite the passage of nearly four decades, the system appears unchanged. Women who find themselves in the harrowing situation of having to escape abusive relationships are still forced into a grueling battle for financial support. My mother had to seek legal assistance just to secure the maintenance payments owed to her, which only materialized when I was over 16. This story is not an isolated incident but a recurring reality for too many women today.
Child maintenance should be an unquestionable right, particularly for those escaping domestic abuse. Survivors already make the courageous choice to leave harmful environments; they should not be further penalized by facing financial uncertainty as they attempt to rebuild their lives. The government must establish stringent regulations that prevent non-custodial parents from evading their financial responsibilities through tactics such as using secondary bank accounts or new partners' accounts. Furthermore, any financial resources, such as redundancy money, should be considered when calculating child maintenance obligations.
A reformed, robust policy framework is essential to provide automatic and fair maintenance payments to support these families. This framework should facilitate seamless enforcement, ensuring that survivors do not have to expend valuable resources fighting for the rightful support of their children. Introducing dedicated support services to assist survivors of domestic violence in navigating the maintenance system can also offer a much-needed lifeline.
In the UK, where domestic abuse accounts for 25% of violent crime incidents, the lack of unwavering child maintenance support is unacceptable. According to the Office for National Statistics, 1.6 million women experienced domestic abuse in the past year alone, highlighting the urgent need for systemic reform.
By signing this petition, you advocate for justice and dignity for all survivors and their children. Let us call on the government to implement necessary reforms, ensuring that women no longer have to fight for a basic human right—the right to provide for their children free from the shadows of their past. Please sign and share this petition to demand change now.
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The Issue
My personal journey through domestic abuse and child maintenance struggles has mirrored that of my mother’s, 37 years ago. As a survivor of domestic violence, I made the difficult decision to leave the toxic relationship for the safety of my child and myself. Yet, much like my mother, I was confronted with the arduous task of fighting for child maintenance to ensure my child could thrive.
Despite the passage of nearly four decades, the system appears unchanged. Women who find themselves in the harrowing situation of having to escape abusive relationships are still forced into a grueling battle for financial support. My mother had to seek legal assistance just to secure the maintenance payments owed to her, which only materialized when I was over 16. This story is not an isolated incident but a recurring reality for too many women today.
Child maintenance should be an unquestionable right, particularly for those escaping domestic abuse. Survivors already make the courageous choice to leave harmful environments; they should not be further penalized by facing financial uncertainty as they attempt to rebuild their lives. The government must establish stringent regulations that prevent non-custodial parents from evading their financial responsibilities through tactics such as using secondary bank accounts or new partners' accounts. Furthermore, any financial resources, such as redundancy money, should be considered when calculating child maintenance obligations.
A reformed, robust policy framework is essential to provide automatic and fair maintenance payments to support these families. This framework should facilitate seamless enforcement, ensuring that survivors do not have to expend valuable resources fighting for the rightful support of their children. Introducing dedicated support services to assist survivors of domestic violence in navigating the maintenance system can also offer a much-needed lifeline.
In the UK, where domestic abuse accounts for 25% of violent crime incidents, the lack of unwavering child maintenance support is unacceptable. According to the Office for National Statistics, 1.6 million women experienced domestic abuse in the past year alone, highlighting the urgent need for systemic reform.
By signing this petition, you advocate for justice and dignity for all survivors and their children. Let us call on the government to implement necessary reforms, ensuring that women no longer have to fight for a basic human right—the right to provide for their children free from the shadows of their past. Please sign and share this petition to demand change now.
The Decision Makers
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Petition created on 10 February 2026