In the news

Restored responds to Government action to protect children from abusive parents

Posted by Jenni James on 22 October 2025

Restored welcomes the UK Government’s repeal of the legal presumption of parental contact in the Family Court.

For too long, adult and child survivors of domestic abuse have been placed in harm’s way by a system that should be there to protect them. The ‘pro-contact’ culture of the Family Court has resulted in unsafe orders that not only pose a risk to victim/survivors’ physical safety, but cause significant emotional distress, compounding the trauma of abuse for adults and children.

This landmark change comes after years of campaigning from brave survivors and our friends across the domestic abuse sector, and we celebrate with them today. As the repeal moves through legislation, we pray that this marks the beginning of a turning tide across the family court system and beyond. 

We want to see all recommendations of the Harm Panel implemented in full, with increased training and accountability for those working in the family court system. It is vital that further steps are taken to ensure that victim/survivors of domestic abuse are treated with dignity and compassion, with their safety being the highest priority at all times.