Family Courts : A system in crisis ?

By Michael Thompson, Founder of the Falsely Accused Network

The recent BBC article highlighting the struggles within our family court system resonates deeply with the experiences of countless parents and grandparents who have contacted our organization. As the founder of the Falsely Accused Network, I've witnessed firsthand how the current system is failing not just parents, but more importantly, the children caught in the middle.

A System at "Breaking Point"

Essex-based solicitor Shalaleh Barlow's assessment that family courts are "undermanned" and "no longer fit for purpose" echoes what we've been hearing for years. When cases take an average of 41 weeks to reach a decision, the damage to parent-child relationships can be irreparable.

The claim that the system is at "breaking point" isn't hyperbole – it's the reality faced by thousands of families each year. With over 13,000 new child arrangement cases initiated in just one quarter last year, the backlog continues to grow while children lose precious time with loving parents and grandparents.

The Hidden Crisis of Parental Alienation

Research from the University of West London suggests that approximately 40% of divorced or separated parents have experienced "parental alienating behaviors" from their ex-partners. This troubling statistic aligns with what our network sees daily – parents systematically removed from their children's lives through manipulation and false allegations.

The case of Tom from Hertfordshire is particularly telling. Not only was he alienated from his father as a child, but he's now experiencing the same heartbreaking separation from his own children. This intergenerational trauma is what our organization works tirelessly to prevent.

The Devastating Impact

The mental health consequences for both children and parents cannot be overstated. As Parental alienation organisations demonstrate with memorial wreaths laid outside family courts, some parents tragically take their own lives after being systematically removed from their children's lives.

Equally devastating are stories like Tess from Norfolk, who hasn't seen her grandchildren for years following her son's divorce. Her account of the court making life-altering decisions based on "a small snapshot" of family dynamics illustrates how the system can fail to see the complete picture.

A Call for Reform

While the Ministry of Justice claims to be "committed to improving the experiences and outcomes" of family court proceedings, more urgent action is needed. The expansion of the Pathfinder pilot program is a step in the right direction, but it must be accelerated nationwide.

At the Falsely Accused Network, we advocate for:

1. Faster resolution of cases, with strict timelines to prevent relationship deterioration

2. Better training for court staff on recognizing and addressing parental alienation

3. Equal presumption of parenting time when safe to do so

4. More resources allocated to family courts to reduce backlogs

5. Greater accountability for false allegations made during proceedings

Moving Forward

Sir Andrew McFarlane, president of the Family Division, acknowledges that parental alienation is "a polarising one which has taken up much court time and public debate." The recently published guidance from the Family Justice Council is long overdue but must be properly implemented to protect children from the abuse of litigation.

As a society, we must recognize that children deserve meaningful relationships with both parents when safe. The current adversarial system often forces parents into combative positions where ultimately, as Simon Cobb correctly states, "the child loses."

Our network will continue to support those navigating this broken system while advocating for the fundamental reforms needed to truly put children's interests first.

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*If you've been affected by issues raised in this article, support is available through the Falsely Accused Network our email address is support@falselyaccusednetwork.co.uk *

BBC article link

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c0q11j4q4n3o