Guidance and resources for frontline practitioners - amplifying the voices, experiences and perspectives of families.

Domestic abuse is Scotland’s hidden emergency. Survivors are clear; the upcoming election is a chance to change that.

This is a significant moment for the family justice system and an opportunity to strengthen how children’s voices are heard, recognising children and young people as victims of domestic abuse in their own right.

SafeLives responds to a new joint inspectorate report, setting out why children must be recognised as victims in their own right and why a whole family approach, specialist support and survivor voice are critical to ending domestic abuse.

This week’s announcements mark meaningful progress: the repeal of the presumption of parental contact in the family courts, alongside amendments to the Victims and Courts Bill that restrict parental responsibility in the most serious cases.

For years, the presumption of parental contact has put “both parents are best” ahead of children’s safety. Repealing it takes power away from domestic abuse perpetrators and puts children first.

New research from the Domestic Abuse Commissioner’s Office exposes the extent to which domestic abuse is “everyday business” in the family courts.

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.

Today’s report from the Domestic Abuse Commissioner lays bare the urgent need to recognise and respond to the harm babies, children and young people experience.