FNF publish guidance on HHJ Wildblood QC's play 'Daisy Through the Looking Glass'
Media Release – for immediate release 29th July 2020
Daisy Through the Looking Glass is an important, taboo-busting short play
by HHJ Stephen Wildblood QC, a family court judge. We suggest anyone involved in family separation takes the time (35 minutes) to watch this.
We have produced some guidance notes with learning points from the play that we hope will be of assistance to separating parents and of interest to professionals.
The play takes the viewer on a journey of how family breakdown can become inter-generational and how parents and the family justice system become complicit in frightful outcomes for children.
We invite the media to review Daisy Through the Looking Glass and our guidance notes.
Actors performed Daisy through the looking glass on Zoom during the coronavirus lockdown and the play is now published on YouTube. The play is a cautionary tale of how a family separation can go wrong with disastrous consequences for all. ‘This is awful’ may be an initial response, as the play makes for uncomfortable viewing at times. There are rich learning points in this play. With this in mind we are today publishing our guidance notes for anyone separating, their family and friends, as well as professionals.
For those who have not experienced the inadequacies of the British family justice system first-hand, the play may appear far-fetched with unbelievable outcomes. For those involved with it regularly, we see far worse and we know that the experience of Daisy and her family is all too common. An Early Intervention Pathway, proposed in an article in the June issue of the journal Family Law offers a workable solution.
A spokesperson for Families Need Fathers says “We are highlighting suggestions to avoid the shocking outcomes that Daisy and her parents experienced. What happens when damaged parents are not properly supported by a family justice system that is not fit-for-purpose? It fails to support parents through separation difficulties, it fails to intervene on child-appropriate timescales, it fails to protect parents and children from abuse exacerbated by it’s the system’s inadequacies. Our system promotes conflict and when flouted, is mostly slothful in enforcing its own orders.”
Notes for editors:
Families Need Fathers - because both parents matter
FNF is the leading registered UK charity providing information and support on shared parenting issues arising from family breakdown, and support to divorced and separated parents, irrespective of gender or marital status. FNF is NOT a fathers' rights group - we support the best interests of children - namely mature and collaborative parenting by both parents - an objective which is inadequately promoted in the family court system and associated services.
FNF receive approximately 30,000 calls a year to our Helpline and thousands more rely on our local branch network and online support.
Our primary concern is the maintenance of the child’s meaningful relationship with both parents. Founded in 1974, FNF helps thousands of parents every year.
Further information please contact us by email at media@fnf.org.uk or leave a message on 0300 0300 110.
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