Shocking impact of family courts on women’s health exposed
Shocking impact of family courts on women's health exposed The University of Manchester
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A Recent Study Reveals the Impact of Family Court Proceedings on Women’s Mental and Physical Health
Introduction
A recent government enquiry has shed light on the challenges faced by women in family court proceedings, particularly when reporting abuse. The study also highlights the influence of the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (CAFCASS) and their potential bias towards the father’s rights lobby.
The Link Between Family Court Proceedings and Women’s Health
Dr. Dalgarno, a lecturer in public health at The University of Manchester and the Founder and Chair of SHERA Research Group, conducted a groundbreaking study that examines the connection between family court proceedings and women’s mental and physical health. The study reveals the prevalence of suicide ideation, suicide, and various health problems among women who have experienced domestic abuse perpetrator behaviors.
Dr. Dalgarno suggests that these conditions should be further investigated in clinical research under the term “Court and Perpetrator Induced Trauma (CPIT).” This study provides valuable insights into the psychological and physical toll that parental alienation allegations, a pseudoscientific belief system aimed at controlling women and denying abuse, have on women’s well-being.
The Impact on Abused Women
The women interviewed for the study vividly describe the detrimental effects of parental alienation allegations on their psychological and physical health. These women are already traumatized, and the additional stress of court proceedings, where their credibility is often questioned, exacerbates their suffering.
Dr. Dalgarno emphasizes that most abusers are not convicted, and many women do not even report their abuse to the police. This study sheds light on the structural disadvantage and societal misogyny faced by women, providing valuable insights that can be applied to a broader population of mothers.
The Disadvantages Faced by Abused Women in Court
The study highlights the systemic bias against abused women within the family court system. Courts often show little sympathy towards these women, while organizations like CAFCASS are more involved with father-supporting groups than mother-supporting groups like Women’s Aid. Shockingly, between 49% and 62% of the 55,000 private family court cases each year involve domestic abuse.
Dr. Dalgarno emphasizes the urgent need to address these health impacts as a potential public health emergency, which requires further research.
Findings from the Ministry of Justice’s 2020 Harm Report
The dysfunctional nature of family court proceedings was brought to public attention in the 2020 Harm Report published by the Ministry of Justice. The report acknowledges that parental alienation is often used as a tactic by abusive fathers to deny the occurrence of abuse. However, Home Office figures indicate that only 2-5% of domestic abuse claims are false.
Examples from the Study
- “There have been four times I’ve actually seriously considered killing myself, and three out of the four, I haven’t done it because of my daughter. I was stood on the edge of the road, and I thought, the next lorry, that’s it, I’m gone, I’m just going to do it.”
- “Health-wise I was super, super fit, always have been for years…my body’s just kind of fallen apart.”
- “Apart from aging more quickly, last year I was diagnosed with breast cancer… I definitely think that’s [court proceedings] affected my health and I definitely would say that I’d had suicidal thoughts.”
- “There were a few times that my dad had to pick me up off the floor, I literally collapsed in a heap, because I was just like, they’re going to take them [children] away”
- “She [Cafcass officer] told me actually, in the garden, that if I didn’t agree to contact, the judge would make a decision that I wouldn’t like, and that was her threat to me, on a Change of Residency…I was constantly accused of parental alienation, my hostilities towards father were highlighted, and I just felt like, at that point, people needed to understand the wider picture, and the reason for my hostilities towards father, weren’t based on parental alienation, they were based on domestic abuse.”
An animation on parental alienation is available here.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
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SDG 5: Gender Equality
- Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres
- Indicator 5.2.1: Proportion of ever-partnered women and girls subjected to physical, sexual, or psychological violence by a current or former intimate partner in the previous 12 months
-
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
- Target 3.4: By 2030, reduce by one-third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being
- Indicator 3.4.1: Mortality rate attributed to cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, or chronic respiratory disease
- Indicator 3.4.2: Suicide mortality rate
-
SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
- Target 16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere
- Indicator 16.1.2: Conflict-related deaths per 100,000 population, by sex, age group, and cause
Analysis
The issues highlighted in the article are connected to SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions).
1. SDGs addressed or connected to the issues:
- SDG 5: Gender Equality
- SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
- SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
2. Specific targets under those SDGs:
- Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres
- Target 3.4: By 2030, reduce by one-third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being
- Target 16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere
3. Indicators mentioned or implied in the article:
- Indicator 5.2.1: Proportion of ever-partnered women and girls subjected to physical, sexual, or psychological violence by a current or former intimate partner in the previous 12 months
- Indicator 3.4.1: Mortality rate attributed to cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, or chronic respiratory disease
- Indicator 3.4.2: Suicide mortality rate
- Indicator 16.1.2: Conflict-related deaths per 100,000 population, by sex, age group, and cause
The article discusses the issue of violence against women in the context of family court proceedings. This is relevant to SDG 5, which aims to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls. The specific target under SDG 5 that can be identified is Target 5.2, which focuses on eliminating violence against women and girls in the public and private spheres. The indicator mentioned in the article, Indicator 5.2.1, measures the proportion of ever-partnered women and girls subjected to physical, sexual, or psychological violence by a current or former intimate partner in the previous 12 months.
The article also highlights the impact of court proceedings on the mental and physical health of women who have experienced domestic abuse. This is connected to SDG 3, which aims to promote good health and well-being. The specific target under SDG 3 that can be identified is Target 3.4, which focuses on reducing premature mortality from non-communicable diseases and promoting mental health and well-being. The indicators mentioned in the article, Indicator 3.4.1 (mortality rate attributed to non-communicable diseases) and Indicator 3.4.2 (suicide mortality rate), can be used to measure progress towards this target.
Furthermore, the article raises concerns about the nature of family court proceedings and the need for justice and strong institutions. This is relevant to SDG 16, which aims to promote peace, justice, and strong institutions. The specific target under SDG 16 that can be identified is Target 16.1, which focuses on reducing all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere. The indicator mentioned in the article, Indicator 16.1.2, measures conflict-related deaths per 100,000 population by sex, age group, and cause.
Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 5: Gender Equality | Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres | Indicator 5.2.1: Proportion of ever-partnered women and girls subjected to physical, sexual, or psychological violence by a current or former intimate partner in the previous 12 months |
| SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | Target 3.4: By 2030, reduce by one-third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being | Indicator 3.4.1: Mortality rate attributed to cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, or chronic respiratory disease Indicator 3.4.2: Suicide mortality rate |
| SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions | Target 16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere | Indicator 16.1.2: Conflict-related deaths per 100,000 population, by sex, age group, and cause |
Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.
Source: manchester.ac.uk
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