Although as yet not legislated for, the Govt. recently decided (as reported last week) to end the presumption that Family Courts should seek to maintain contact for both parents even when domestic abuse is reported.

Now, even before any legal change and the shift in guidance (and training) for judges, the High Court has today overturned a Family Court case's declaration that abuse within in the family was not relevant.

Things look to be changing - good!

#FamilyCourt
https://www.theguardian.com/law/2025/oct/28/dangerously-outdated-high-court-overturns-ruling-implying-domestic-violence-would-not-affect-children

In what is seen as a major triumph around domestic abuse, the Family Court system will no longer be guided that contact with *both* parents is in the best interests of the child.

This welcome shift will require an amendment to legislation, but given the Govt/s stated commitment to amend, if must be hoped that Judges in the Family Court will more immediately be guided by the removal of this (dangerous) presumption.

#FamilyCourt #DomesticAbuse

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/oct/21/family-law-shift-hailed-as-victory-for-children-facing-domestic-abuse

The Family Justice Response to Domestic Abuse - Women’s Aid
https://www.womensaid.org.uk/the-family-justice-response-to-domestic-abuse/

#FamilyCourt
#DomesticAbuse

Sadly it may no surprise you that the Family Court seems to be under-estimating & failing to recognise the importance of domestic abuse in the cases it handles.... as the domestic abuse commissioner, Nicole Jacobs notes:

'time & time again we see how the pro-contact culture & antiquated views on domestic abuse are contributing to decisions that put children in harm’s way'!

There needs to be an urgent change in Family Courts

#DomesticAbuse #FamilyCourt

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/oct/09/majority-of-family-court-cases-in-england-and-wales-feature-domestic-abuse-watchdog-says

A warm weekend in October just before family court

It feels tense around sensitive days like the upcoming hearing. As your mum limits interactions, there are so many things that need to be sorted out but it’s hard to resolve anything, however basic, like collecting your high chair or carseat.

The weather forecast said it would be a surprisingly warm weekend, basically like summer. I wanted to do something nice with you like a picnic but your mum refuses to meet in the centre so it will be tricky within our time.

The main person who’s worse off because of your mum’s hostilities is you. There’s no reasonable perspective to explain why she should be so difficult to cooperate on little plans for the day.

Our sunny day

I tried to make the best of the day and planned to get to Zizzi’s for lunch which gave us enough time to look at a few shops and explore for a bit.

One of the estates in the area was open to the public so we had the chance to check out the grounds. The pretty gardens and enclosed green was perfect for a running monkey like you!

You’re becoming more independent, some of our day involved you walking slowly with your little legs. It’s going to be lovely when you’re older and we can go on treks and adventures. I’m sure you’ll be leaving me behind!

The day was straightforward. There’s limited room for planning more exciting things and you’re often unwell in some way or another so calm days seem best.

Our moo-full afternoon

After lunch, as usual, I take you for a stroll in your buggy where you promptly fall asleep. I walk with the aim of having some background momentum so you sleep better but sometimes it’s tiring to be honest. Today’s heat and busyness wasn’t great for walking around but the most important thing is you slept well.

While you were snoozing, I had walked up to the edge of the centre until I saw a few cows next to the canal. It was unusual and not something I’m used to seeing back at home in the Big City! I waited nearby expecting you to be waking up around this time and in perfect sync you shuffled awake with a herd of beautiful brown cows in your view.

At this point I had to prepare for getting back. 40 minutes could easily become more if you need something along the way.

It’s starting to feel like we really only have lunch. It’s hard to make happy memories when most of our time together is in a restaurant or just walking to and from the station.

In the future, let’s go for lunch and make it really special. Sunday lunches have been our time since you were a baby. It was forced on us but let’s embrace it and make it the special daddy daughter time it should be.

Court on Thursday

My mind is a blank as it has been so often in the last year. It’s impossible to ignore but too painful and stressful to allow to surface. I don’t know what to think about Thursday. Your mum has done everything possible to stop us from having a relationship and take you from me.

Impossible choices

When your mum took you I had the impossible choice of refusing and the huge problems that would’ve caused short term, or do as I did and work through the court process knowing that your mum had already planned out that the move would become the status quo and a family court wouldn’t force her to move.

I did what I thought would cause you the least distress but sometimes I wonder if it would have been better for me to take the alternative option which would have kept us together for the years ahead. This is the dilemma I will always live with.

Back in River Town in a few days

I’ll be back in River Town for 9am on Thursday to be told why I can’t have you overnight. Why I can’t give you a kiss goodnight. I’ll be told why you can’t go on holiday with me. You’ll be 3 years old and still unaccustomed to being with me overnight if I let your mum’s plans go ahead. I may have no option.

The system doesn’t care about the bond between a dad and daughter.

#apart #dad #dadLife #daddyDaughterTime #daughter #dayOut #family #familyCourt #fatherSRights #fatherhood #heartbreak #parentalAlienation #parenting #sunnyDay #timeTogether #toddler #toddlerLife #withMyGirl

Dyfed‑Powys and South Wales Police buck national decline in coercive control charges

Local forces top the table

Almost ten years after coercive and controlling behaviour (CCB) was made a criminal offence under the Serious Crime Act 2015, new analysis shows that Dyfed‑Powys Police and South Wales Police are leading the way nationally in bringing charges.

• Dyfed‑Powys Police saw the biggest rise in England and Wales, with the proportion of offences leading to a charge or summons more than doubling from 4.05% to 8.65% in the past year.
• South Wales Police recorded the second‑highest increase, climbing from 10.11% to 11.16%.

By contrast, many other forces saw their charge rates fall, with the City of London dropping to zero and Nottinghamshire and Wiltshire also recording sharp declines.

What coercive control means

Coercive control covers patterns of intimidation, isolation, financial restriction and emotional manipulation. It was recognised in law in 2015 to reflect the reality that abuse is not always physical, but can still have devastating and long‑lasting effects.

Family law specialists say the rise in charges in Wales may reflect more victims feeling able to report abuse, but also highlights the scale of the problem.

“Statistics only tell part of the story”

Kathryn McTaggart, family law solicitor and director at Woolley & Co, said:

“Clients often describe years of financial restriction, emotional manipulation, or social isolation – behaviours that don’t just end when the relationship does. They continue to shape how safe someone feels during separation, whether they can engage in mediation, and the tone of negotiations.”

She warned that while criminal prosecutions show progress in some areas, the family courts remain inconsistent. Allegations of coercive control are often raised in divorce, child contact and financial disputes, but the way courts respond can vary dramatically.

What it means for families in Wales

• In divorce cases, coercive control is increasingly cited in petitions, but survivors often feel the abuse is invisible in financial settlements.
• In child contact disputes, courts are expected to investigate allegations before making decisions, but practice varies widely.
• In financial proceedings, the law sets a high bar for conduct to affect asset division, leaving many survivors feeling the economic impact of abuse is overlooked.

Campaigners say that without consistent recognition across both criminal and family courts, survivors remain at risk of being retraumatised by the very systems meant to protect them.

Ruth Dodsworth: speaking out after coercive control conviction

ITV Wales presenter Ruth Dodsworth has become one of the most high‑profile voices raising awareness of coercive control after her ex‑husband, Jonathan Wignall, was jailed in 2021 for a near‑decade campaign of harassment and abuse.

Since then, Ruth has spoken publicly about the impact of coercive control on her life and family, using her platform to encourage survivors to seek help and to press for stronger safeguards in both the criminal justice system and the family courts.

Related articles

• Maesteg man jailed after subjecting teenager to years of coercive control
• Long prison sentence for vile Swansea man who raped and controlled women
• ‘Immature’ Aberavon man jailed following controlling and abusive behaviour

Ruth Dodsworth: Speaking out on coercive control

ITV Wales presenter Ruth Dodsworth has spoken publicly about her experiences of coercive control after her ex-husband, Jonathan Wignall, was jailed in 2021 for a near-decade-long campaign of harassment and abuse.

Since the case, Ruth has become a prominent voice in raising awareness of domestic abuse, sharing her story to encourage others to seek help and to highlight the importance of safeguarding.

• TV presenter’s ex-husband jailed after near decade-long campaign of harassment and controlling behaviour
• ITV’s Ruth Dodsworth talks about her experiences of domestic abuse in support of National Safeguarding Week

#abuse #coerciveAndControllingBehaviour #coerciveControl #criminalCourt #divorce #DyfedPowysPolice #emotionalManipulation #familyCourt #familyLaw #financialRestriction #harassment #intimidation #isolation #law #relationships #RuthDodsworth #SeriousCrimeAct #socialIsolation #SouthWalesPolice

Boosts appreciated!

I have some dear friends who are looking for a family court #lawyer who practices in NY (Orange County) to assist with an immediate need pertaining to guardianship of minors. If anyone has recommendations, I would appreciate them deeply!

#fedilaw #familycourt #guardianship #custody

A kid can be taken from their mum & put up for adoption (without needing the mum to agree) not because the child is currently in danger but because the mum has previously been in an abusive relationship.

The Big Cases - My Baby: Taken, Failed, Killed - BBC iPlayer
https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p0cpgjjd/the-big-cases-my-baby-taken-failed-killed

#FamilyCourt
#SocialServices
#DomesticViolence
#DomesticAbuse