In a number of Family Court cases, where claims of child sexual abuse have been made against a father, the court has switched care from the mother to the father after a recommendation by a child psychiatrist or psychologist. Jess Hill investigates the role of expert report writers in the way the court decides on claims of abuse.
The Family Court is one of the most controversial institutions in Australia. It’s also one of the least scrutinised—strict privacy laws make it extremely difficult to report on.
On Thursday 11 June, in a telephone link with senators for an inquiry into family violence, Australian of the Year Rosie Batty called for a Royal Commission into the Family Court, telling senators the institution is her ‘biggest area of concern’, and that it’s an area that is ‘beyond investigation, beyond reproach’.
‘There is a total disregard or a total ignorance of family violence being an issue,’ she said. ‘You’re viewed in court as likely to be lying to manipulate the system.’ [Read Full Article]
This article was published on Sunday 14 June 2015.
