Family courts carry out ‘state sanctioned abuse’ of domestic abuse survivors by letting perpetrators see children, commissioner warns

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Family courts are responsible for “state-sanctioned abuse” of domestic abuse victims as they allow violent parents to torment their ex-partners through the legal process, London’s victims commissioner has warned. Frontline service providers warn domestic abusers use the family courts to continue terrorising their ex-partners - with domestic abuse allegations routinely dismissed and abusive ex-partners given access to their children. Claire Waxman, who is the capital’s first commissioner for victims, told The Independent the domestic abuse bill, which is in the report stage, does not properly protect victims going through the family courts. The family courts have emboldened domestic abusers to “continue cycles of abuse, including control, unwanted contact and harassment”, she said.