I have personally experienced the devastating impact of post-separation abuse, and I understand firsthand the severe challenges faced by mothers navigating the family court system when dealing with an abusive ex-partner. Many mothers find themselves battling not only to protect their children but also to protect their own well-being against perpetrators who manipulate the court system to continue their abusive behavior.

Currently, the system often fails to provide adequate protection for mothers who breach court orders due to legitimate safeguarding concerns. Furthermore, these mothers are frequently silenced during fact-finding hearings, where their testimonies and factual accounts are too easily dismissed or denied. This lack of protection and belief enables the cycle of abuse to continue, leaving mothers and their children trapped in a torturous environment.

In the interest of justice and human rights, we urgently need reforms that will ensure:

1. Legally enforceable protection against post-separation abuse - Introduce statutory recognition of post-separation abuse, with mandatory risk assessments, immediate protective measures, and strict enforcement mechanisms to prevent perpetrators from using the family court system as a tool for continued coercion and control.

2. Automatic legal protection for protective breaches of court orders - Establish clear legal defenses for mothers who breach court orders due to genuine safeguarding concerns, ensuring they are not penalized for acting in the best interests and safety of their children, and requiring courts to prioritise child welfare over procedural compliance.

3. Trauma-informed and evidence led fact finding hearings - Mandate trauma informed judicial training and enforce evidentiary standards that prevent the dismissal or minimisation of abuse disclosures, ensuring that mothers’ testimonies are properly heard, fairly assessed, and not undermined by bias, misinformation, or litigation abuse.

4. Accountability for perpetrators exploiting the legal system - Introduce penalties and restrictions for individuals who weaponise court proceedings to perpetuate abuse, including vexatious litigation controls, limits on repeated applications, and consequences for false allegations used to discredit protective parents.

5. Child safety as the non-negotiable priority in all decisions - Legislate that child safety and wellbeing must override all other considerations, including parental contact, where there is evidence or risk of abuse, with a presumption against unsupervised contact in such cases.

6. Access to specialist support and advocacy for survivors - Guarantee funded access to legal aid, independent domestic abuse advocates, and specialist support services for mothers and children navigating the family court system, ensuring they are not forced to face abusers without adequate protection or representation.

The emotional and psychological strain of navigating the family court system under these circumstances is immense and exhausting. No mother should have to live in fear of continued abuse, particularly when the legal system intended to protect them becomes a tool for further control by the abuser.

Please sign this petition now to advocate for vital legal changes that will protect mothers and their children from the horrors of post-separation abuse. Together, we can urge lawmakers to take action and create a fair and just system that offers real protection and hope for a peaceful future.