Family Court Library: Fact Findings- Domestic Abuse and Children

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Family Court Library

General Disclaimer: Nothing presented constitutes legal advice and the McKenzie Friend UK Network is not a legal entity or in anyway claims to be a 'legal resource'. The resource guide is supported by McKenzie Friends and Litigants in person for Litigants in Person in Family Court. McKenzie Friends provide layperson support as an informed friend under the Family Court Practice Guidance of 2010. All information is published under the spirit of that guidance. For any corrections of the information, please contact the McKenzie Friend UK Network

The Impact of Domestic Abuse on Children

The Impact of Domestic Abuse

Ammerman et Al (2016) That Children can demonstrate a variety of internalizing and externalizing disorders, such as depression, anxiety, social withdrawal, aggressiveness, and conduct problems.

Devaney (2015) Children who have been exposed to domestic violence can exhibit emotional and behaviour disturbances. Exposure to domestic violence can impact on a child’s wellbeing and mental health, poor performance at school, poorly developed social networks and self-harming behaviour.

The Cycle of Change Theory by Prochaska and DiClemente (1983)

The five stages of change are precontemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, and maintenance . Precontemplation is the stage at which there is no intention to change behaviour in the foreseeable future.

Resources

Ministry of Justice: Assessing Risk of Harm to Children and Parents in Private Family Court Cases

The Family Court and Domestic Abuse: Achieving Cultural Change

Ministry of Justice (May 2023), Assessing Risk of Harm to Children and Parents in Private Law Children Cases - Implementation Plan: delivery update

Barnardo's (2020): Not just Collateral Damage. The hidden impact of domestic abuse on children.

McKenzie Friend Training

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Our independent MaKenzie Friends provide support throughout the UK.

MaKenzie Friends operate as 'lay persons' who are not legally trained or qualified, but who will support you through the family court process as an 'informed friend'.

Our MaKenzie Friends can :

1) Provide personal support, understanding and mentoring.

2) Offer non legal advice and guidance.

3) To assist you with paperwork, forms and planning.

4) To organise your files and assist you in the smooth administration of the process.

5) To help research information.

6) As laypersons, discuss and offer advice, guidance and opinions on your case and strategy.

7) To assist with the management and timing of disclosures.

8) To assist with your statements, submissions and arguments.

9) To attend court with you under the formal guidance presented by the family courts.

10) To help you prepare your arguments and questions.

Philip Kedge is a retired police Chief Inspector and the founder and director of the McKenzie Friend UK Network. His aim is to remove lawyers from the family court with his own ethical business to reduce conflict and acrimony, to provide training and a cost effective McKenzie Friend national service and to reduce the emotional harm to children as a non-legal entity and informed friend.