Domestic violence charity demands change to Scottish family law proposals

The Family Law (Scotland) Bill must be reformed if children are to be protected from violent parents, Women’s Aid Scotland told the Scottish Executive’s justice committee today.

The charity said that courts still allowed violent parents to have access to their children in around 60% of separation cases, and that this resulted in many children suffering abuse.

It wants to see the legislation amended so that judges only grant access when they are convinced that there is no danger of a child being abused.

“This would be a positive move for children, and would really strengthen the welfare principle that is pivotal in the Children (Scotland) Act,” said children’s policy officer Heather Coady.

She told 0-19 that the charity was satisfied that the justice committee had taken their concerns seriously.