Getting the Balance Right
One-Day workshop (09.00-17.00) Saturday 27 October 2018
Conference Room, Resource for London, 356 Holloway Road, London N7 6PA
Organised by the Central London Branch of Families Need Fathers
Violence between adults and especially by an adult on a child, is repugnant. It is, of course, contrary to a child’s best interest. It should be dealt with robustly. Victims deserve support and it is right that this has been increased over the years, albeit almost entirely focused on women victims with male victims largely left to fend for themselves. This has also led to negative stereotyping to create a presumption of guilt or a need to prove innocence within safeguarding regime assessments. Such assessments often lack balance or fairness, and rarely take into account the role of mental illness which are not confined to one gender.
Domestic violence and abuse is an issue outside this charity’s remit unless it affects the post-separation relationships of children. Such relationships should never be restricted unless it’s for relevant, proportionate and adequately evidenced reasons, especially when a good and mutually loving relationship is already in place.
However, in making it easier for women to address abuse and to have access to resources, such as Legal Aid and refuges unequally, there is an increased risk of interference with fair decisions, hindering the outcomes for children; especially due to a lack of appropriate checks and balances in the system. These changes have also provided incentives, in the emotive storms of family separation, for exaggeration or fabrication of allegations with highly destructive potential consequences. It has resulted in the system itself, which is intended to protect children, being used as an abusive weapon.
The purpose of this workshop is to question whether, given that the welfare of the children should be the paramount consideration, the balance is right, and to explore what might be done, in individual cases and in policy, to reduce family conflict and, above all, to improve the outcomes for children.
Speakers biographies can be found here:
ACTION
The cost is £20, including morning and afternoon refreshments but not lunch. Booking via Eventbrite. It should be an interesting and helpful day. Click here to purchase a ticket.
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