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Closed Review family court system to help prevent post-separation abuse

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We want the government to review the family court system to help prevent post-separation abuse. This should look at training on coercive control, protections for abuse survivors, and strict limits on use of “parental alienation” claims that we feel can silence legitimate safeguarding concerns.

We are concerned that survivors of domestic abuse are being harmed by the very system meant to protect them. We believe that family courts often fail to recognise post-separation abuse, especially coercive control, and force survivors and their children into unsafe contact arrangements. The 2020 Harm Panel Report highlighted systemic failings. We are concerned that abusers can misuse “parental alienation” claims to discredit survivors, especially mothers. We think that these claims are too readily accepted. Children deserve protection — not exposure to further harm.

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  • Related activity

    Protecting children from domestic abuse: debate in Parliament

    On 27 November, a debate took place in Parliament entitled 'Protecting children from domestic abuse.'

    This was a Backbench Business debate led by Richard Quigley MP.

    The Minister for Courts and Legal Services, Sarah Sackman MP, responded on behalf of the Government.

    Explainer

    Backbench Business debates give MPs an opportunity to debate a topic of their choice, and receive a response from the Government.

    They are a way to:

    • raise awareness of an issue
    • seek to influence government policy
    • put the views of backbench MPs, political parties, and the Government on record.

    They do not generally involve a vote on a particular action or decision.

    See our visual explainer on how debates in Westminster Hall work.

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  • Petition published

    This petition can now be signed.

    If this petition gets 10,000 signatures, government will respond to it.

    If this petition gets 100,000 signatures, it will be considered for debate in Parliament.

    This petition will stay open until 29 January 2026.