Domestic abuse information ’not adequately captured’ in child contact cases

Domestic abuse allegations and convictions of parents who have perpetrated abuse are not being adequately captured by Scottish civil courts during child contact hearings, a new study by the Universities of Glasgow and Edinburgh Napier has found. Researchers discovered family lawyers were heavily reliant on their clients telling them about ongoing or past domestic abuse as there is no formal mechanism for them to be informed about criminal proceedings. The research team also found a worrying lack of awareness among those lawyers who were surveyed on how domestic abuse affects children. Child contact orders are considered as part of civil court proceedings where a Sheriff decides whether, how much and what form of contact a non-residential parent should have with their child during the week and on holidays. The report goes on to outline 12 recommendations calling for improved information sharing and compulsory training of legal professionals in the civil court system to help safeguard children. Professor Michele Burman of the University of Glasgow, who was part of the research team, said: "During our interviews we saw limited awareness from lawyers of domestic abuse and its effect on children, with most equating it with physical violence, rather than all the other forms it can take.