Campaigning for gender equality under the law
Leading the movement for family court reform to protect every adult and child affected by abuse.
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The repeal of the presumption of parental involvement passes through Commons
The repeal of the presumption of parental involvement passes through CommonsThe Courts and Tribunals Bill, which includes Clause 17, which repeals the presumption of parental involvement, passed through the House of Commons.
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The government has announced new specialist rape criminal courts, but what happens when you share a child with your rapist?
The government has announced new specialist rape criminal courts, but what happens when you share a child with your rapist?In response to the rollout of specialist criminal rape courts, Charlotte Borthwick explains how rape victims in the family court face a system with no legal definition of rape and no promise of special protections.
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“Please do not forget about victims in family court”: A letter to the Lord Chancellor from our survivor ambassador
“Please do not forget about victims in family court”: A letter to the Lord Chancellor from our survivor ambassadorRight to Equality’s survivor ambassador “Rose” has written this week to the Lord Chancellor to welcome the announcement of new specialist rape courts but to remind him that victim-survivors in family courts also face significant challenges, that must not be forgotten.
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Remorseful in family but unrepentant in criminal
Remorseful in family but unrepentant in criminalA post from Barrister, Eleanor Marsh. Eleanor raises concerns about a new judgment where a father shows apparent remorse in family court enabling him to progress contact but denies the same offences and blames the victim in criminal proceedings.
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The law that labels mothers fleeing abuse as international child abductors: In conversation with Ruth Dineen from Hague Mothers
The law that labels mothers fleeing abuse as international child abductors: In conversation with Ruth Dineen from Hague MothersCharlotte Richardson, in conversation with Ruth Dineen, founder of Hague Mothers, explores the key issues with Hague Convention proceedings and why we are campaigning for reform.
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“I see no reason why contact would not be enjoyable”: Why repealing the presumption of parental involvement cannot wait
“I see no reason why contact would not be enjoyable”: Why repealing the presumption of parental involvement cannot waitA new judgment highlights the deeply entrenched pro-contact culture in private family proceedings and raises questions about the use and influence of experts.
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Why Children Are Removed After Abuse Disclosures (And What Needs to Change): Reshare from The Heartbreak to Happiness Podcast
Why Children Are Removed After Abuse Disclosures (And What Needs to Change): Reshare from The Heartbreak to Happiness PodcastThis is the second in a two-part series, produced in partnership with Sara Davison, The Divorce Coach, where we look into the shocking subject of child removal in private family proceedings in England and Wales.
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When Children are Taken from Loving Parents After Abuse Disclosures (What’s Really Happening): Reshare from The Heartbreak to Happiness Podcast
When Children are Taken from Loving Parents After Abuse Disclosures (What’s Really Happening): Reshare from The Heartbreak to Happiness PodcastThis is the first in a two-part series, produced in partnership with Sara Davison, The Divorce Coach, where we look into the shocking subject of child removal in private family proceedings in England and Wales.
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Special Episode: Take the Stand; Open Justice for All—The Power of Being Heard
Special Episode: Take the Stand; Open Justice for All—The Power of Being HeardLucy sits down with Charlotte and Juliana to talk about their podcast and critical work in the fight for survivor justice. Charlotte explains how survivors are routinely charged thousands of pounds to obtain their own court transcripts—a deeply unjust barrier to healing, accountability, and justice.
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![The government is rolling out specialist rape courts for criminal trials — with private entrances, separate waiting rooms and remote access. But what happens when you share a child with your rapist?
In the family court, rape isn’t even defined: there is no legal definition of rape or consent in family law, so survivors rely on a judge’s own subjective interpretation — at a time when myths about sexual violence remain rife. In one analysis of 91 published family court judgements, 72.5% contained examples of victim-blaming, most often from judges.
And the new criminal-court protections don’t reach the family court. Special measures aren’t guaranteed. A lack of legal aid forces many survivors to represent themselves. Medical and counselling records can be released to perpetrators. The role of Independent Domestic and Sexual Violence Advisors is barely recognised.
With 55% of rapes committed by a current or ex-partner, and criminal backlogs stretching past four thousand cases held for over a year, survivors who share a child with their rapist are most often heard in the family court first — and face their abuser at handovers and on video calls for the whole of their child’s childhood.
The government has promised to use “every lever available to drive down violence against women and girls.” So when will that apply to the family courts?
Read more in our latest blog by Charlotte Borthwick: righttoequality.org
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