Petition · Ministry of Justice
Review Protections for Children Against Coercive Control in Family Court Process
Open for signatures
51 signatures
What the petition asks
Review safeguards in family courts to address coercive control, to ensure children’s voices are heard, and prioritise their wellbeing. Improve training, guidance, and use of supervised contact where manipulation or emotional harm is identified.
We believe that children are often not properly heard in family court, leaving them distressed and unheard in decisions affecting their lives. The process can be emotionally damaging, with repeated hearings and forced contact causing long-term harm. When coercive control is overlooked, it can affect a child’s mental health, development, and future relationships. Stronger protections are needed to ensure children’s voices matter and their wellbeing is prioritised.
Timeline
| 29 May 2026 | Petition opened for signatures |
Key facts
Signatures
51
Status
Open for signatures
Department
Ministry of Justice
Opened
29 May 2026
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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 26 Jul 2026.