A family courts petition set up by pop star Melanie Brown calling for judges to receive compulsory domestic abuse training designed and delivered with experts is nearing its target of 25,000 signatures.

Brown, a member of the Spice Girls, says in her petition that the family courts are unsafe for domestic abuse survivors and judges need training now from experts working with abused women and children, such as Women’s Aid. Brown has been a patron of Women's Aid since 2018.

The petition says: ‘We know that around 60% of child arrangement cases in England and Wales feature domestic abuse – yet many judges don’t understand and call it "parental conflict". Women who are scared for their children’s lives – knowing that abusers can and do harm and even kill their children on contact visits – are called troublemakers or accused of being manipulative when they try to protect them. Orders are being made in the family court every day that force women and children into contact with dangerous abusers – women tell Women’s Aid going to the family courts can be as bad as the abuse itself. 

Melanie Brown

Melanie Brown wants judges to receive training designed and delivered by specialist organisations such as Women's Aid

Source: Alamy

‘On behalf of survivors of domestic abuse, I, Melanie Brown MBE, am calling for the Judicial College to commit to compulsory ongoing training that is designed and delivered with experts. I am also calling government to be accountable for this and taking forward the recommendations in the Harm Panel Report 2020, including an urgent change that where there is domestic abuse or serious harm, we do not presume there should be contact - children's safety always has to come first. Our research shows that survivors do not feel that they have been listened to or their concerns acted on – it is not good enough, and we cannot wait any longer.’

As of today, nearly 21,000 people signed the petition.

The Judicial Office said: ‘Judicial training is a matter for the Judicial College. All family judges and magistrates must complete an induction before they hear any cases, and then carry out regular continuation training. Both contain training on domestic abuse.’

 

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