MP urges government to change law to “save the lives of children for generations to come” as part of new Victims and Courts Bill

During a speech in Parliament, Marie Tidball MP called for the Government to remove the presumption of contact from law where the parent is a known domestic abuser, as part of the new Victims and Courts Bill, in support of her constituent, Claire Throssell’s campaign. Presumption of contact is the legal principle which means parents should always be given contact with their children, even in circumstances where there is a known domestic abuser.    

During the speech, Marie recounted the horrific experience of tireless local campaigner, Claire Throssell MBE. 10 years ago in Penistone, Paul and Jack Skyes were horrifically murdered, by their abusive father, who set their house on fire. Whilst in the family courts, their mother Claire Throssell repeatedly warned that their father had a history of domestic abuse and was a danger to the children’s lives. However, presumption of contact meant he was granted five hours unsupervised contact per week with the two boys.  

The Government’s new law marks an important step forward in the mission to rebuild our justice system, to ensure the justice system serves victims, rather than subjecting them to further trauma on top of what they have already suffered. The overdue reforms include strengthening victims rights, forcing offenders to attend their sentencing hearing, and restricting the parental responsibilities of convicted child sex offenders. The new law will also further empower the Victims’ Commissioner to uphold victims’ rights and hold public bodies to account when there are failings.  

In her speech, Marie made the case that “the Bill before us today presents the ideal opportunity to make changes to the family courts and to deliver for the victims of domestic abuse and violence against women and girls. Labour’s important mission to halve violence against women and girls within a decade will require a national effort and the use of every single tool available to target perpetrators and address the root causes of abuse and violence.”  

The Ministry of Justice’s Harm Report, published in 2020, was clear that the presumption should not remain in its present form. The Government is currently reviewing the Harm Report. Last month, Dr Tidball urged the Prime Minister to change the law during PMQs. In his response, he made clear the government is currently looking at the presumption of contact, and that the family courts should never be a place which enables abusers to continue their abuse.    

Marie Tidball MP, Labour Member of Parliament for Penistone and Stocksbridge, said:  

“The Victims and Courts Bill delivers overdue reform to ensure that victims are finally put first in our criminal justice system. Too often, victims were paying the price of a justice system in crisis. I want to see this same change delivered in our family courts, including ending the presumption of contact, to put children at the heart of our family court system.  “Claire Throssell is a tireless campaigner, and it is a privilege to work alongside her to deliver this vital change.   “I look forward to the Government’s upcoming response to the Harm Report, and told the Minister in Parliament that they must act now to save the lives of children for generations to come by ending contact at any cost.”