In Parliament, Marie Tidball MP, urged for a change in the law to prevent contact being granted to known domestically abusive parents, which is continuing to cause the death of innocent children.
10 years ago in Penistone, Paul and Jack Skyes were horrifically murdered, by their abusive father, who set their house on fire. Whilst in the family courts, their mother Claire Throssell repeatedly warned that their father had a history of domestic abuse, and was a danger to the children’s lives. However, presumption of contact meant he was granted unsupervised children of the boys.
A decade later, this week has seen the sentencing of Sara Sharif’s father and stepmother, who murdered her. They were both granted supervised contact with Sara, despite the fact her father had been arrested previously for domestic abuse allegations.
Tragically, the presiding legal principle of presumption of contact, means the father of brothers Jack and Paul Sykes, and Sara Sharif’s father - both of whom with a known history of domestic abuse - were granted unsupervised contact with their respective children.
During Business Questions in Parliament, Marie asked the Leader of the House of Commons, Lucy Powell MP, if there would be time to debate presumption of contact.
Marie Tidball, MP for Penistone and Stocksbridge, told the Leader of the House:
“Ten years ago, my constituent Claire Throssell promised her sons… that no other children would die in the same tragic circumstances.
This week has seen the sentencing of Sara Sharif’s father and stepmother, who murdered her.
Too many children have died at the hands of known domestically abusive parents who have been granted unsupervised contact in the family courts.
[We need to change] …the law on presumptive contact in order to prevent further child deaths at the hands of known domestically abusive parents”.
In response to her question, Lucy Powell MP, Leader of the House of Commons, said:
“We have all been moved, appalled and shocked in many ways by the case of Sara Sharif and its findings, along with sentencing this week. She will know that the Government are absolutely committed to ensuring that all vulnerable children are safe. We are bringing in reforms, especially to areas such as home schooling and kinship care, and support for children’s services and children’s social workers. We presented the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill this week, but that is just a start. I look forward to working with her and colleagues so that we ensure that this never happens again.” Claire and Marie recently met with the Victims Minister, Alex Davis-Jones MP - and were pleased to hear the Minister’s commitment to review the impact of the presumption of contact, and that the government’s response will be published soon.
Claire Throssell MBE, said:
“In the 10 years since Jack and Paul’s murders, sadly more innocent children's lives are still being taken due to the dangerous practice and culture that remains in Family Courts due to presumption of contact between abusive parents and their children. Contact at any cost must end and presumption has no place in a court of law. Sara is tragically another example of how parental rights are prioritised over the rights of a child.”
If you or anyone you know needs support with domestic abuse, in Penistone they can call 03000 110 110 or email info@idas.org.uk, and in Stocksbridge call 0808 808 2241. The National Domestic Violence Helpline can be contacted on 0808 2000 247 and is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
News
Loading posts...