Mother and children in Refuge

[JOLLY]

Hi my wife and children have left me she falsly cried domestic abuse and is now in a refuge.
Ive not seen my kids for 1 month because of Refuge rules which I understand.
We were arguing but nothing physical or financial.
I miss them terribly.
Please advise further. Thanks

[Suzie, FRG Adviser]

Dear JOLLY
Welcome to the parents’ forum and thank you for your post.

My name is Suzie, online adviser at Family Rights Group. I am sorry that you have been unable to have contact with your children for a month. I will respond to your post.

You stated in your post that your wife made false allegations of domestic abuse against you. It appears you are of the view that unless there is physical or financial issues then behaviour does not amount to domestic abuse. This is not the case.

I believe it would be helpful for you to understand what constitutes domestic abuse and the statutory definition in the link from information on our website HERE.

Also, you may find the information on our website about frequently asked questions for fathers useful in relation to domestic abuse.

Unfortunately, you have not given enough information regarding the situation with your family. Your wife and children are in a Refuge due to domestic abuse. You do not say whether children’s services (the new name for social services) are involved or if there has been or ongoing police involvement. Our service advises when there is direct children’s services involvement.

Regarding contact with your children, if there are no restrictions on you contacting your wife, for example, bail conditions set by the police, or children’s services, but your wife is not willing to allow contact, you can consider making an application to the court for a child arrangement order for contact. The court will look at all issues from both parties and take allegations of domestic abuse into account and, if there is a police investigation, or children’s services involvement want to know the outcome of these enquiries.

As issues between parents relating to contact is a private family law matter and not within the remit of our service, I suggest you contact Child Law Advice on 0300 330 5480 who advises persons who do not have a solicitor on these matters. You can contact Advice Now , an online service where persons are representing themselves in court as litigants in person (LiPs) can find information. Advice is also available from Support through Court in private family law matters. Here is their telephone number 0300 081 0006.

If children's services are involved and you need advice relating to their involvement you can contact us again by posting again or you can telephone our free confidential advice line on 0808 801 0366. The advice line is open from 9.30am to 3.00pm Monday to Friday (excluding Bank Holidays)

I hope you will find this useful.

Best wishes

Suzie

[winmau]

Hi Jolly,

Please check your DMs. Thank you