The UN has called for urgent reforms to protect individuals, particularly children, involved in custody disputes, where allegations of domestic violence and abuse are too often overlooked. In a report submitted to the Human Rights Council in June 2023, Reem Alsalem, the UN Special Rapporteur on violence against women and its causes, emphasized the systemic issues within family court systems worldwide. These courts often fail to adequately address allegations of abuse—whether coercive control, physical violence, or sexual abuse—and instead prioritize shared custody arrangements without proper investigation into the abuse history.

Alsalem also criticized the unscientific and harmful concept of “parental alienation,” which is frequently used inappropriately, particularly in cases where the alleged abuser is the other parent. Now this report did not mention the situation caused by the local Authority in this regime of the weakest link. For too long parents have been fighting each other the local authority uses this against you. This concept perpetuates gender biases and harms the well-being of children and their families. The report stresses the need for a more child centered, victim-focused approach that prioritizes safety and the best interests of the child above all else. It seems then that they that the UN should reconsider in the light of the new report by the Children and Families Truth Commission (CFTC). That this is now becoming a EHCR matter for thousands of families.

Reforms are essential to ensure that family courts function in a way that protects the rights and safety of all individuals, regardless of gender, and addresses the deep-rooted biases and flaws within these systems.

For more details, you can read the full press release here: Urgent Reforms Needed to Protect Women and Children in Custody Battles​

In addition, the Children and Families Truth Commission (CFTC) has released a preview of its first report, which has been endorsed by the University of Birmingham. The report investigates systemic flaws in the UK’s child welfare and family law systems, focusing on how the current court processes may fail to protect children and families, particularly in legal situations where their rights are compromised. The Commission advocates for a cultural shift in the way children’s voices are heard, ensuring that their well-being is prioritized in family court decisions.

For more details on the Commission’s findings and recommendations, you can read the full report here: Children and Families Truth Commission’s First Report​

45 Cases you really should know about involving Family law