Mum whose sons were killed by their father wins law change | Politics | News

A mother whose sons were murdered by their father has welcomed a landmark announcement that dispels the assumption that parents are involved in children’s lives.

The aim of the movement is to protect children from abusive parents. People who are deemed a threat to their children’s safety can now expect their participation to be restricted. Courts may rule that communication must be supervised, that communication can only be in writing, or that they must have no contact with their son or daughter.

The removal of the presumption of parental involvement introduced in the Children Act 1989 was welcomed by Claire Throssell, whose sons Jack, 12, and Paul, nine, were murdered by their father.

He said: “For ten years I have been campaigning with Women’s Aid to change the family courts system to ensure that no child is at further risk of harm from abusive parents. It is hugely meaningful to see the presumption of parental contact finally repealed, and in memory of my sons Jack and Paul. No child should have to lend a helping hand in the dark, saying they are being hurt by someone who should be protecting them. No parent should have to hold on, as I did 11 years ago, while their child dies from the abuse of a perpetrator.”

Mrs. Throssell’s sons were with their father when he set his house on fire. She had warned him that he was threatening to kill the children and himself.

The Ministry of Justice praised his “outstanding campaign to keep children safe.”

Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy said: “Every child deserves to be safe, every victim deserves to be heard and every family deserves a justice system they can trust. We must make sure what happened to Claire and her children never happens again. This Government’s priority is to bring our justice system back from the brink. This means ensuring that the safety and welfare of children remains at the heart of every decision, and that is why we are removing the presumption of parental involvement through the Courts and the Courts Bill. This is in memory of the extraordinary Claire Throssell and her two children, Jack and Paul.” It’s a milestone I want to dedicate. Her dedicated campaign is helping us rebuild a justice system that is fair, compassionate, and prioritizes the safety of children.

The Courts and Tribunal Bill will appear before MPs on Tuesday.

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Farah Nazeer, chief executive of Women’s Aid, said: “We are pleased to see that the Courts and Tribunals Bill includes plans to remove the presumption of parental involvement in the Children Act. More than 20 years ago we published our first report on child murders resulting from unsafe contact, where every death was completely preventable. “Finally our voices have been heard and these children have been recognised.”

He added: “Claire’s two sons, Jack and Paul, were murdered by their abusive father as a direct result of unsafe contact permitted by the family court, against the wishes of Claire and her children. It is hugely significant to have this change in memory. We hope that once this legislation is passed, the safety and welfare of children will now be at the heart of the family courts, with the system protecting them rather than being used as a weapon by their abusers.”