Stop Asking Who Is Right. Start Asking What the Evidence Shows.
- Deanna Newell
- Jul 5
- 2 min read
Every year, thousands of families enter the Family Court system and the Child Maintenance Service hoping for fair decisions that protect their children.
Too often, they find a system that reacts to conflict instead of identifying the causes of it.
Children are left waiting. Parents become trapped in lengthy disputes.
Mental health deteriorates.
Public money is spent managing conflict instead of resolving it.
This has to change.
One of the biggest problems is that we spend too much time arguing over labels. Terms such as parental alienation generate enormous debate, and yet they describe an outcome rather than the behaviours that may have caused it.
The real questions should be:-
Is there coercive or controlling behaviour?
Is there emotional or psychological abuse?
Is there financial abuse?
Are there safeguarding concerns?
Is the child’s resistance to a parent a consequence of abuse or neglect?
Or is there evidence that the relationship is being deliberately undermined?
These questions can be investigated.
They can be evidenced.
They can be assessed independently.
That is why I am calling for a mandatory evidence-based triage process at the start of every Family Court and Child Maintenance case.
Just as patients entering the NHS are assessed before treatment, families entering the justice system should be assessed before decisions are made.
Independent professionals should identify safeguarding risks, domestic abuse, coercive control, financial abuse, mental health needs and child welfare concerns at the earliest possible stage.
The Family Courts and Child Maintenance Service should also work together instead of operating in separate silos.
A coordinated approach would improve consistency, reduce delays, close loopholes, strengthen safeguarding and ensure children receive the support they deserve.
This campaign is not about mothers versus fathers.
It is not about winning arguments.
It is about protecting children.
It is about making decisions based on evidence.
It is about creating a system that families can trust.
If we continue with a system that reacts too late, children will continue to pay the price through poorer mental health, prolonged family conflict and damaged relationships.
We can do better.
We must do better.
Because every child deserves a system that asks the right questions before making life-changing decisions.
CHILDREN FIRST.
FACTS FIRST.
EVIDENCE FIRST.
REFORM THE SYSTEM. PROTECT OUR CHILDREN.
Deanna Newell Family Law
Advocacy for truth-tellers, survivors, and the children who deserve better
