Domestic Abuse: Family Proceedings
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether his Department monitors outcomes in family court cases involving domestic abuse to identify patterns of harm arising from (a) repeated and (b) prolonged proceedings.
Answered by Catherine Atkinson
This Government recognises the significant impact of domestic abuse on children and adult victims involved in Family Court proceedings, which can be exacerbated when proceedings are prolonged. In March 2026, the Government announced the national rollout of the Child Focused Courts. Under the model, victims of domestic abuse receive specialist support from Independent Domestic Violence Advisers. Data from areas with the model shows cases are being resolved up to seven and a half months faster on average. The model reduces the number of cases returning to court, protecting children and families from further trauma.
We are closely monitoring metrics and feedback for the courts already operating the Child Focused Model. As expansion progresses, we are working with the Domestic Abuse Commissioner to explore how we can better understand the outcomes for, and experiences of, families in Child Focused Courts.
In addition, we are carefully considering the outcomes of the Domestic Abuse Commissioner’s Family Court Review and Reporting Mechanism pilot and will provide further detail as soon as we are able to.
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