Poll Watch

A new study commissioned by a leading London firm to mark the 20th anniversary of the Children Act 1989, has found that large numbers of parents refused to deal with a divorce amicably.

The research has shown:

• 25% say their primary object when they were going through the divorce process was to make the experience as “unpleasant as possible” for their former spouse.
• 50% admit to having gone to Court to argue about where the children should live, knowing it would make things worse for their children.
• 33% of children permanently lose touch with a parent, usually the Father.
• 10% of children say their parents’ breakup left them feeling suicidal.
• 20% of children say they “felt used” as a pawn by their parents.

These disturbing results obtained by independent analysists this year question the success of the Children Act which was intended to improve the welfare of youngsters caught up in parental separation, by placing their needs first.

I am a member of Resolution, an organisation of Family Lawyers committed to the constructive resolution of family disputes. We encourage solutions that consider the needs of the whole family and in particular what is in the best interests of the children.

If you have a relationship issue, contact me on 01772 258321 to minimise the prospect of becoming one of these statistics.