Today Downing Street confirmed that the presumption of parental contact — the idea that every child should automatically have contact with both parents — will be removed from family courts in England and Wales.

This is a landmark step towards putting children’s safety and wellbeing first.
For years, survivors, campaigners, and professionals have warned that the presumption has allowed contact to continue in situations where there has been domestic abuse, coercive control, or clear safeguarding risks.

Removing this legal presumption means judges will now have to focus on each child’s individual welfare, not on a one-size-fits-all belief that contact is always beneficial.

I began this petition to shine a light on the harm caused by post-separation abuse and unsafe contact decisions.

Nearly 1,000 of you have stood with me to call for change.
Your signatures, your messages, and your belief in a safer system have all contributed to this moment.

Thank you