BBC2 aired a programme today looking at the ways in which UK family courts award contact to abusive parents. The channel will continue to look at this issue over the next few weeks.

Earlier this month, 123 MPs called on the government to launch an enquiry into how family courts treat victims of domestic violence. UK Prime Minister Theresa May rejected the request.

It is encouraging to see the BBC picking up on work carried out by Researching Reform and campaigners like Sammy Woodhouse, Rachel Williams and Teresa Whittaker to offer these important issues even more exposure. We hope the programme doesn’t over-simplify the issues, and offers a careful and well thought out look at why this kind of contact occurs.

You can watch the programme here.

Further reading:

• I Raped You – Now I Want Contact
• Parental Alienation Allegations Sway Family Court Judges Into Enabling Contact With Abusive Parents – Research
• Contact At All Costs? Study Into Care Orders and Domestic Violence Highlights Family Courts’ Slow Progress.
• UK Family Courts Are Harming Children’s and Parent’s Mental Health