Imagine being a child who has bravely spoken up about abuse, only to be told they must still spend time with the very person who hurt them. Imagine being the protective parent, powerless to stop it. This isn’t a hypothetical—it’s happening in family courts. Decisions are being made that allow parents with child sex abuse charges or convictions to have access to children, often under the guise of maintaining a relationship. But at what cost?
The safety of children should always come first. The justice system acknowledges the risk when someone is charged or convicted—so why is family court sometimes the exception? We must do better. Children deserve protection, not court-ordered trauma. It’s time to demand that family courts prioritise child safety above all else. No child should be forced into harm’s way.
Read about our CEO Willow Duffy‘s comments in this New Zealand Herald article ‘Toddler claims sex abuse after judge orders weekend visits with convict dad.‘