1st Full-Time Family Court Journalist Helps Mom Keep Custody—for NowWOMENS COALITION INTERNATIONAL

WOMENS COALITION INTERNATIONAL

APR 21 2094.

Until recently, journalists in the UK have not been allowed to report on custody cases, so this coverage and the subsequent “win” for the mother were cause for celebration by advocates and activists.

But delving deeper it becomes apparent that this unusually lucky mother has not really won her case. Despite some favorable findings and orders, the sword of Damocles remains poised overhead. And, despite good intentions, the journalist did not get the problem in Family Court right. Just more diversion from what is really going on.

No, the mom in this article is not safe, just like no mother is, from the ravages of Family Court. She is not immune from further unjust rulings that endanger her children, even though she has gotten what few mothers do: clear judicial findings the father has been seriously abusive and an order restricting him to supervised visits. And amazingly, she was not found to be alienating the kids from him even though that was reported by the evaluator.

But the judge left the door wide open, saying this state of affairs was just “for the time being”. For the time being. After 8 torturous years of battling to keep and protect her children, it is only for the time being. And this mother is one of the lucky ones.

Worse, the judge said she wants the teenage daughter, who does not want to visit her abusive father at all, to have a better relationship with him “before it’s too late”. This sounds ominously like a precursor to some form of “reunification therapy”, often used to force kids into contact with their abusive or molesting father.

But okay, so at least mom and kids are spared for now, and it appears to be because the public’s eyes are trained on the judge, thanks to an intrepid journalist. That is worth celebrating.

Keep in mind, though, that a common ploy used by judges in countries that have always allowed media reporting on custody cases, is to kick the can down the road. Wear down reporters with continuances and interim hearings. Wait until they are busy on other cases and matters. Wait until the public gets weary of it and stops paying attention.

Then let the sword drop. Then give the abuser custody. When nobody is looking or cares anymore.

In this new article Family Court Files: Psychologist’s Evidence Used to Ramp Up Allegations of Parental Alienation, Hannah Summers places the focus—and implicit blame—on the “unregulated” evaluator employing the controversial theory of “parental alienation” in her analysis. The tagline reads: the case raises questions about unregulated specialists.