SafeLives welcomes the findings of the Public Accounts Committee’s inquiry into improving family court services for children. For too long, survivors of domestic abuse – both children and adults – have faced a system that is slow, hard to navigate, and often fails to recognise or respond effectively to the risks they face.
We remain deeply concerned about the ongoing delays for domestic abuse victims, and the lack of reliable data within the family justice system. Major gaps persist – including the prevalence of domestic abuse in private law cases and the outcomes for survivors. Without robust data, we cannot be confident families are safe, supported, and able to rebuild their lives.
As highlighted in evidence to the Committee, many court staff, legal advisors, and Cafcass officers are under-resourced and insufficiently trained in domestic abuse. Current court processes frequently fall short, leaving survivors retraumatised rather than supported.
SafeLives has been working for many years to improve survivors’ experiences of the family courts. We currently have two SafeLives colleagues seconded to Cafcass to strengthen survivor-centred practice, ensure reforms are grounded in lived experience, and improve outcomes for adult and child survivors.
We also deliver specialist training for family lawyers, designed and led by domestic abuse experts and legal professionals, to improve recognition of coercive control and ensure families are better supported throughout proceedings.
There are promising signs of change. The Ministry of Justice’s ‘Pathfinder’ pilot – now operating in six family court areas, with further expansion planned – shows early indications of improved survivor experience and shorter case durations. However, it is vital that these reforms are properly resourced and evaluated, with outcomes for both children and adults consistently captured and monitored.
Survivors deserve a family court system that prioritises their safety, listens to their voices, and delivers swift, fair outcomes. We urge the Government to act with urgency – investing in training, resources, and data systems – so we can make families safer, sooner.
