Prioritise Mental Health Support for Children Impacted by Domestic Abuse: Stop the Trauma, Start the Healing

Every child deserves to feel safe, heard, and supported. Yet, children who witness domestic abuse are being failed by outdated family court processes that prioritise forced contact with unsafe parents over their mental health and well-being.

The Domestic Abuse Act 2021 recognises children as victims of domestic abuse, but where is the support they need to heal? Trauma therapy must be a legal requirement in cases involving domestic abuse. This ensures children can process their experiences, address their trauma, and heal before any contact with the abusive parent is progressed. Without this intervention, we risk retraumatising vulnerable children and perpetuating the cycle of abuse for future generations.

We are calling for an amendment to family law that mandates trauma therapy for children exposed to domestic abuse as a prerequisite to contact orders. Therapy must come first to ensure that decisions are made in the child’s best interests, as required by the Children Act 1989. Only after the child has had the opportunity to heal can their wishes and feelings be assessed effectively, giving them a voice in the process.

Let’s end the trauma and give these children a chance to grow into healthy, happy adults. Sign this petition to demand funding for specialist trauma therapy and reforms that protect children in the family courts. 

No child should be forced into unsafe contact before they have healed..

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Proposal for Legal Mandate: Professional, Regulated Trauma Therapy for Children Affected by Domestic Abuse

Background and Rationale

Children who experience domestic abuse often suffer lasting psychological and emotional effects, including anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and difficulty forming healthy relationships. However, despite the clear need, the family court system does not consistently prioritise trauma-focused therapy to support these children’s recovery.

To ensure children receive appropriate, effective care, this proposal calls for the introduction of a legal mandate requiring professional, regulated trauma therapy for children affected by domestic abuse. This proposal aligns with current efforts to reform family courts and aims to safeguard children’s mental health while addressing concerns about therapy misuse or harm.

Key Principles

 1. Child-Centred Care

 • Therapy must prioritise the needs, experiences, and voices of the child above all else.

 • The goal is not to enforce reunification or other predetermined outcomes but to support the child’s healing and well-being.

 2. Trauma-Informed Approach

 • All therapy must adhere to trauma-informed practices that acknowledge the impact of abuse and aim to empower the child while minimising re-traumatisation.

 3. Professional Regulation and Accountability

 • Therapists must be accredited professionals with specialised training in trauma and domestic abuse.

 • Practitioners must be subject to oversight by professional regulatory bodies to ensure ethical practices and accountability.

 4. Evidence-Based Interventions

 • Only evidence-based therapies, such as Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (TF-CBT) or EMDR, should be employed.

 • Standardised guidelines should ensure consistency in care across regions.

 5. Court Oversight and Training

 • Family court judges must consult experts in child psychology and trauma before ordering therapy.

 • Mandatory training for judges on domestic abuse and its impact on children will support informed decision-making.

Proposed Framework

 1. Referral Process

 • When domestic abuse is identified in family court cases, children must be referred to accredited trauma therapy providers.

 • Referrals can be initiated by judges, CAFCASS officers, or local authority safeguarding teams.

 2. Therapist Accreditation Requirements

 • Therapists must have:

 • A recognised qualification in psychology, counselling, or psychotherapy.

 • Advanced training in trauma and domestic abuse.

 • Accreditation with a recognised regulatory body (e.g., BACP, UKCP, HCPC).

 3. Independent Oversight

 • An independent oversight body (e.g., the Family Therapy Standards Board) will monitor the quality and effectiveness of ordered therapies.

 • This body will provide a complaints procedure for families to report harmful or ineffective therapy practices.

 4. Funding and Accessibility

 • Therapy costs should be covered through public funds or court-allocated resources to ensure accessibility for all families.

 5. Review Mechanism

 • Regular reviews of therapy progress and outcomes will ensure that the child’s needs are being met.

 • Courts will retain oversight to address concerns about therapy suitability or effectiveness.

Benefits of Implementation

 1. Supports Children’s Recovery

 • Trauma therapy helps children process and recover from the psychological impact of abuse, reducing long-term mental health issues.

 2. Prevents Misuse of Therapy

 • Regulated, evidence-based practices reduce the risk of therapy being used to enforce harmful agendas, such as coercive reunification.

 3. Improves Family Court Outcomes

 • Providing appropriate therapy for children ensures that decisions in family court are informed by their mental health needs and well-being.

 4. Aligns with Calls for Reform

 • Introducing a regulated therapy mandate supports broader reforms aimed at improving the safety and effectiveness of family court proceedings.

Addressing Concerns

Concern: Therapy could be misused by biased or unqualified practitioners.

Response: The proposal mandates that only accredited, specialised professionals provide therapy, with strict oversight by an independent regulatory body.

Concern: Therapy might re-traumatise children or prioritise outcomes like reunification.

Response: The framework ensures that therapy is child-centred, with no predetermined goals other than supporting the child’s recovery.

Concern: Courts lack expertise to order appropriate therapy.

Response: Mandatory training for judges on domestic abuse and trauma will equip them to make informed decisions.

Conclusion

Introducing a legal mandate for professional, regulated trauma therapy for children affected by domestic abuse is a critical step in addressing the long-term impact of abuse. By ensuring therapy is safe, accessible, and evidence-based, this proposal protects children’s well-being and strengthens the family court’s ability to serve their best interests.