Never Again

6 years ago, brothers 12 year old Jack and 6 year old Paul were killed by their father after he was granted unsupervised contact with them by a family court, despite being a perpetrator of domestic abuse. [1]

Years later, the same rules about unsupervised contact are in place – and too often violent parents are still being granted unsupervised visits with their kids. [2] Because of these rules, more children have been killed, and many others are at risk. [3]

But things could change soon Grace. Right now, there’s a law going through the House of Lords that could transform things. They’ll soon be deciding whether or not to change the rules that failed Jack and Paul once and for all. [4] If hundreds of thousands of people sign the petition, we can show the Lords the public urgently wants this law to change and push them into action.

So, will you sign the petition and help keep children safe? 

 

“No parent should have to hold their children and comfort them as they die, or be told that their child has been harmed in an act of revenge or rage.” [5]- Jack and Paul’s mother, ClaireThis proposed law change is simple. Right now, the family court favours keeping parents in contact with kids so strongly, they’re not protecting children from abusive parents. A simple change in the law to put the safety and interest of children first in cases involving domestic abuse will save lives.

For years Women’s Aid has been campaigning with 38 Degrees members to make family courts safer for victims of domestic abuse. Together we’ve successfully pushed for real change, including new guidance for judges in making decisions about child contact in domestic abuse cases, a commitment to ban on abusers cross-examining victims in the court, and a major review of family courts. [6] Now we’ve got a vital opportunity to make sure family courts protect children from abusive parents, and no more young lives are lost.