Spice Girl, Mel B, calls for reform on domestic abuse training in the courts

Melanie Brown MBE, member of the Spice Girls and better known as Mel B, has recently started a petition calling for judges to receive compulsory domestic abuse training that is designed and delivered by experts.

Mel B is a survivor of domestic abuse, and is now a patron of Women’s Aid, a national charity working to end abuse against women and children. Mel B speaks up about how the family court system can be harmful to victims of domestic abuse as she believes Judges do not receive comprehensive training for matters involving domestic abuse. This can lead to Court Orders being made where a survivor of abuse may have to have continued contact with their abuser for the purpose of child arrangements.

Mel B states, “Orders are being made in the family court every day that force women and children into contact with dangerous abusers – women tell Women’s Aid going to the family courts can be as bad as the abuse itself.”

The petition, which can be found on the Women’s Aid website, has received more than 20,000 signatures.

Additional judicial training on domestic abuse could have a positive impact in the family courts as it would mean Family Judges could approach these situations with more awareness and sensitivity. That said, this is something which the Courts have already been working to improve on in recent years, particularly after the Harm Report 2020. The Harm Report was prepared following a public consultation looking into concerns over the family justice system being able to properly serve and protect the interests of victims of abuse.

This will always be a difficult area for Judges due to false allegations sometimes being raised as an attempt to stop contact between a child and a parent. However, the main priority for Courts and lawyers should always be to safeguard children and act in their best interests. With Mel B’s influence and increasing public pressure, the Courts may look to put further practices in place to increase Judges’ understanding of domestic abuse to further protect victims.

If you would like to discuss any of the matters raised in this article, please get in touch to speak to one of our accredited children law and domestic abuse specialists on 020 8290 0333 or email info@judge-priestley.co.uk 

For further information on our Family Law services, click here.