If the BBC says so, it must be true: First: this item after we presented our petition to the current Petitions Committee of MEPs in Brussels: http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-31089412 Two days ago the MUCH more embarrassing admission of taking babies at birth. That's what a member of the Russian Parliament calls 'abusive' in her report about Social Services in Europe - for the Council of Europe, MPs from 47 member states: http://website-pace.net/documents/10643/1127812/EDOC_Social+services+in+Europe.pdf/dc06054e-2051-49f5-bfbd-31c9c0144a32 This BBC news is based on the report by the University of Lancaster: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-35088794 A first study had been published last year. The 'abstract' of this year's study says: "There is international concern about the population of birth mothers who experience repeat court-ordered removal of children. This article reports the findings from a population profiling study that provides the first picture of the scale of women’s repeat involvement in public law proceedings in England. Based on national records from the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass) (43,541 birth mothers, 2007–14), two subsets of mother, child and legal proceedings data were created. The aims of the study were to: (i) produce a descriptive profile of recurrent cases, (ii) estimate the probability and timing of recurrence and (iii) examine the relationship between maternal age and recurrence. Quantitative analysis comprised descriptive statistics for profiling purposes and methods of survival analysis to estimate probabilities. Findings indicate that the family justice system recycles a sizeable percentage of women (24 per cent) through repeat episodes of care proceedings, with young women aged sixteen to nineteen years most at risk of recurrence. Implications for social workers and the family courts are outlined with reference to new innovations in England." The full report is on https://punishmentwithoutcrime.files.wordpress.com/2015/12/15-12-16-br-j-soc-work-2015-broadhurst-bjsw_bcv130.pdf The researchers are writing about 43,541 birth mothers and 85,452 babies. Here are a few more pertinent quotations: "Although published judgements concerning high-profile cases evidence considerable disquiet on the part of the judiciary about women’s exposure to repeat legal proceedings (e.g. [2014] EWFC B158, available online at www.bailii. org/ew/cases/EWFC/OJ/2014/B158.html), commentary on individual cases has not resulted in systematic change in policy and legislation. "A Hidden Population: the mothers - legal minors, teenagers and women in section 31 proceedings - generally as lone respondents - where 'supervision orders' followed the first 'care order'. Evidence indicates a tendency on the part of local authorities to issue proceedings very early in the life of an infant, where there is a history of previous proceedings." The results captured in tables: By far the largest number of the age of children is less than one month!!! 284 legal minors, i.e. less than fifteen and 1,682 girls between 16 and 18. 85.5% are repeat proceedings by the SAME local authority. By connecting events in time, we have been able to uncover a hidden population of women who are repeat clients of the family court. Given limitations of national databases, we have been unable to track cases back beyond 2007, but nevertheless our findings evidence that repeat clienthood is an enduring and routine feature of the family court.Based on yearly estimates of probability, we can expect (at least) 24 per cent of women to return to court, having previously appeared as a respondent in section 31 proceedings. This estimate increases to almost one in every three for women aged between sixteen and nineteen years." BORN INTO CARE is the label of these children deprived of their birth mothers who have more reason than others for 'post-natal depression' as 'repeat clients' of the family court system... Breathe deeply and keep trucking - no matter where you are as a supporter of this petition. We do need to empower mothers AND children to stand up to these professionals who are paid to be white collar criminals. Let's call a spade a spade! If you want to receive other updates, please follow these blogs: * http://mckenzie-friends.co.uk * https://mckenzieangels.wordpress.com * http://victims-unite.net * https://nationalinquiry.wordpress.com * https://punishmentwithoutcrime.wordpress.com And please consider signing this petition targeting the Ministry of Justice to fully implement EU and UN procedures across the UK: * https://www.change.org/p/uk-ministry-of-justice-eu-and-un-child-protection-directives-to-be-fully-implemented-across-britain With best wishes for getting closer and closer to more and more success stories, Belinda and Sabine