Refuge responds to expansion of Child Focused Courts

Responding to the national rollout of Child Focused Courts, Bo Bottomley, Policy and Public Affairs Manager at Refuge, said: 

“Every day, Refuge supports thousands of survivors of domestic abuse and their children, many of whom have been failed by the family court system. Too often, survivors’ experiences and children’s voices go unheard and unacknowledged during proceedings, leaving them at risk of further harm from perpetrators. We welcome the rollout of Child Focused Courts across England and Wales – a vital step towards improved protections for survivors and their children. 

“Many survivors we work with describe family court proceedings as highly distressing and traumatic, compounding the trauma of domestic abuse. At the same time, lengthy delays – sometimes lasting months or even years – leave their children’s safety and wellbeing at serious risk.  

“Previously known as Pathfinder Courts, Child Focused Courts aim to identify domestic abuse earlier, reduce delays and improve coordination between courts and partner agencies. Early results from the Pathfinder pilot have been encouraging, demonstrating real potential to improve outcomes for families. 

“The expansion of Child Focused Courts must now be implemented quickly, and we await further details on the rollout. However, reform of the family courts cannot end here. Long-term systemic change will depend on greater transparency, expanded access to legal aid and robust, consistent domestic abuse training for judges, magistrates and professionals to ensure that decisions are informed and survivor-centred.”