FLiP Podcast: As victims of domestic abuse, children are often invisible

Domestic abuse is a pervasive issue that affects countless lives, leaving a mark on victims and, significantly, on the innocent bystanders – children. In a recent podcast episode, Helen Greenfield, a director and solicitor at Family Law in Partnership, spoke with Chantal Hughes, Chief Executive of the Hampton Trust.

In the episode Chantal emphasised the need to broaden the understanding of coercion and control beyond physical violence. Coercive control often manifests as a pattern of behaviour that becomes normalised within a relationship, and the challenge lies in helping both the perpetrators and society recognize these subtle signs and understand the profound impact on victims, particularly children.

Children are now recognized as victims of abuse, even if they are ‘only’ present in the room during an incident. Chantal explains how Hampton Trust’s integrated approach involves working not only with the perpetrator but also with the partners or ex-partners, acknowledging that children are invariably part of the equation, whether the relationship continues or not.

The conversation also delved into the challenges of dealing with parental alienation, a phenomenon inherited from the United States. Chantal and Helen discuss the alarming cases where false narratives, often fuelled by significant financial resources, lead to the removal of children from their mothers. Hampton Trust’s work includes training professionals to understand perpetrator tactics, emphasising the need for a more informed approach within the criminal justice and family court systems.

The full episode is available here: https://www.flip.co.uk/podcasts/domestic-abuse-working-with-victims-and-perpetrators/