A discussion about children and domestic abuse is taking place today in the House of Commons.

The debate was set up by Labour MP Liz Twist, and will look at the effects of domestic violence on children, contact disagreements between mothers and fathers, parental alienation and the implementation of the Domestic Abuse Bill.

The Domestic Abuse Bill, which was included in the Queen’s Speech, will be re-introduced by the current government after falling through during the last General Election.

The Bill establishes a Domestic Abuse Commissioner, bans cross-examination in person in family proceedings in certain circumstances and makes provision for violent or sexual offences, and offences involving other abusive behaviour.

Home Office Minister Kit Malthouse said the Bill would return to Parliament before Easter in a Commons debate held on 5th February.

The House of Commons library has an excellent page offering detailed information about the Bill and the background to the debate. We are adding some of the links the page offers below:

• Insights for the New Parliament: Will this be the Parliament to enact a domestic abuse bill?
• Children: child arrangements orders – when agreement cannot be reached on contact and residence (Great Britain) (CBP 8761)
• Children: parental alienation and the role of Cafcass (England) (CBP 8763)
• Children: child arrangements orders – safeguards when domestic abuse issues arise (England and Wales) (CBP 8764)
• Operation Encompass website
• Policy paper: Review of children in need, June 2019.

The debate takes place today from 4.30pm – 5.30pm. You can watch the debate in person at Westminster Hall, or you can watch the event live on Parliament TV.