SafeLives welcomes the Ministry of Justice’s new pilot scheme to provide better support to domestic abuse victims in the family courts

For years victims of domestic abuse and sector staff have said loudly and clearly that the family court process is re-traumatising, and can actively facilitate the perpetration of further abuse. The adversarial nature, insufficient specialist support for victims, and lack of a trauma-informed approach demonstrably causes more harm.

We welcome the Ministry of Justice’s new pilot scheme which aims to improve support to victims of domestic abuse, however we believe this is just the start of the reform that is needed. In addition to the changes being piloted, training in the dynamics of abuse, including how legal proceedings can be exploited to perpetrate post-separation abuse, must be mandatory for those working in family courts. Family justice system professionals also need a better understanding of the impact of trauma on both adult and child victims. Our recent report on court support and advocacy for the Domestic Abuse Commissioner demonstrates the positive impact court Idvas can make for victims of domestic abuse, so we would also like to see further investment in this role, and for court Idvas to be present throughout legal hearings.

Together we believe these changes would create the change that is necessary for victims of domestic abuse to have faith in the system that is meant to protect them, and achieve better, safer social justice outcomes

The Family Court process has left me severely traumatised, worse than the domestic violence itself. I was belittled, undermined, exposed to my abusive ex repeatedly, my children were not listened to and it felt like the father's rights trumped mine and negated his history of domestic abuse. I've never been more frightened and alone in my life.