Charity number: 1135731; Company number: 7117962;
Registered address: Oxford Place Centre, Oxford Place, Leeds LS1 3AX
Domestic abuse
If you have been affected by domestic abuse, it can continue to have a significant impact on you as you separate. Because abusers are typically manipulative, you may be disadvantaged in mediation and court disputes. You and your children may also be endangered, as court evaluators can fail to recognise the risks abuse brings.
An understanding of the dynamics of the conflict is essential to identifying the most effective and appropriate means to promote a child’s well being. This will almost always be synonymous with nurturing the relationship with the non-abusive parent, and protecting both from further abuse.
The term domestic abuse is generally used on this site to refer to all types of domestic violence and abusive behaviours. Women affected by domestic violence often do not name their experiences as such, and this can prevent them accessing appropriate support. It is felt that the term ‘domestic abuse’ better suits the accepted definition of ‘misuse of power and control’, incorporating physical, emotional, sexual and financial abuse.
This part of the site gives an overview of what domestic abuse is, and how it can affect mothers. Domestic abuse is very complicated, as abusive behaviours are so varied, and the impact on family relationships is far reaching, and sometimes not as one would expect.
W e recommend two books:
Why Does He Do That? Inside the Minds of Angry and Controlling Men (L Bancroft, 2002)
which gives a very detailed account of domestic abuse, and how it affects families.
The Batterer as Parent (L Bancroft and J G Silverman, 2002)
which includes a comprehensive account of why children can appear to be more bonded to an abusive father than a non abusive mother, why abusive father can have several advantages in the family court, and why court evaluators can make errors in assessment. Although this book is American, the research and observations are highly relevant to UK family law and practice.
Domestic abuse and damage to the mother child relationship
Mutual and female initiated violence
Framework for the Assessment of Children in Need
If there are allegations of domestic abuse the courts and Cafcass must follow the