Thread by @C4Dispatches

Dispatches has obtained this disturbing and never before seen footage of police forcibly removing children from their mother to be taken to go to live with their father. 1/

Torn Apart: Family Courts Uncovered - Tuesday at 10pm on @Channel4

@Channel4 There is no suggestion that the children are at risk of neglect or abuse with their mother. The children say they want to live with her. But the family court has ordered they be taken, by force if need be, to live with their father. 2/

@Channel4 Family courts make decisions about what is best for children. These are not child protection cases involving abuse or neglect, they are private battles between parents. But some cases can end up with kids being forcibly removed against their will, in distressing circumstances. 3

@Channel4 One of the problems is that a 1960 law intended to protect children says that nothing that happens in a family court can ever be reported without the express permission of the judge. So there is no public accountability when things go wrong. 4/

@Channel4 The accusation here is of parental alienation - which can undoubtedly harm children. And the primary objective is for the child to be able to enjoy meaningful relationship with both of their parents. 5/

@Channel4 But how do courts assess these claims, and are some interventions equally, or perhaps even more damaging? 6/

@Channel4 Many lawyers say that forcible removals like this are rare.

But in an online survey 297 experienced family solicitors and barristers told us they had witnessed this kind of enforced removal. They reported 42 over the last 3 years. This suggests they are not so uncommon. 7/

@Channel4 So what evidence is there that they have the desired effect and help children develop healthy relationships with both parents? 8/

@Channel4 We approached several expert witnesses who have advised courts on parental alienation, but none agreed to take part in this programme. 9/

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