I am a survivor of domestic abuse, and yet, despite escaping my abuser physically, I find myself in an ongoing 18-year cycle of coercive control. The family court system in the UK, while designed to protect, places me in a continuous state of being forced to update my perpetrator—an individual who has never once complied with court orders. This perpetual cycle of abuse through non-compliance not only destabilizes the lives of parents but more importantly, wreaks havoc on the emotional and psychological well-being of innocent children.

Parental Responsibility (PR) should be a privilege granted to those who genuinely commit to the welfare and upbringing of their children. Yet, it stands as a tool for continuous coercive control, as abusers exploit these provisions without facing any repercussions for their blatant disregard for court directives. This glaring oversight in legislation allows abusers to wield PR as a weapon, furthering trauma and instability for both the custodial parent and the child involved.

We advocate for the UK Government to undertake critical reforms in family court legislation, providing mechanisms where PR and associated protections can be regularly reviewed and possibly revoked under circumstances where a parent has:

• Failed to sustain any meaningful involvement in the child's life over prolonged periods.
• Habitually ignored court mandates.
• Utilized the existence of PR to perpetuate control and abuse indirectly.

The current system is failing survivors of abuse, forcing countless individuals and children to endure years of manipulation without reprieve. By reforming these laws, we can create a safer, more reliable legal framework that prioritizes the genuine welfare of families and children, ensuring each child has continuity in care without being subjected to indirect manipulation and abuse.

Join us in calling for reforms that restrict PR rights to those genuinely committed and actively engaged in a child’s upbringing. By doing so, we can ensure every child and parent receives the protection and stability they deserve.

Sign this petition to urge the UK Government to act decisively in reforming family court laws and protect vulnerable families from enduring undue coercive control.