Members of the Centre for Children’s Rights (Mary-Louise Corr, Siobhan McAlister, Suzanne Mooney and Alice Diver (Law)) launched a report examining the experiences of victims of domestic violence and abuse (DVA) within the private law family court system and children’s experiences of participation in family court processes.

The research team worked with a Children and Young Person’s Advisory Group from the Social Action Youth (SAY) Project (Women’s Aid Federation Northern Ireland) who worked on aspects of the research relating to children’s participation and experiences from design to dissemination.

The research, funded by the Commission for Victims of Crime, shows that gaps in understanding among professionals shape experiences of the family court processes, particularly where experiences of domestic violence and abuse are disregarded and victims/survivors feel their fears and concerns have been dismissed. While professionals’ expressed commitment to children’s participation, the analysis demonstrates that current practices often fail to genuinely listen to children’s views, leading to a disconnect between professional understanding and children’s actual experiences. The report also argues that a presumption towards contact with an abusive parent neglects to consider the multiple impacts of contact on children and their resident parent.

The full report can be accessed on the Commission for Victims of Crime website. 

A child friendly version of the report will be launched early 2026.