Women’s Aid respond to National Audit Office report on family court services for children

Sophie Francis-Cansfield, Head of Policy at Women’s Aid, said:

“At Women’s Aid, we know that the family courts consistently fail women and children who have experienced domestic abuse, with many survivors being forced to wait long periods of times for their cases to even be heard, let alone resolved. We welcome the new report from the National Audit Office, which highlights the delays survivors experience, and echo the call on the Ministry of Justice to take action to prioritise the safety of women and children and reduce family justice delays.

Delays in court proceedings are detrimental to children who have experienced abuse, as they negatively impact their mental wellbeing and hinder their ability to start healing and moving on from the trauma they have endured. Unresolved cases may lead to children being in temporary care arrangements for longer, disrupting their sense of stability and security, as well as their education and schooling. They may also result in prolonged unsuitable child contact arrangements, with perpetrators of abuse, while investigations are done.

System wide action must be taken to address the capacity issues in the family courts, so that women and children are not put at risk for years while the courts process their cases. These case must be created with the urgency the deserve, so that survivors are able to live in safety and move on with their lives post abuse.”