CHILD ABUSE AND/OR FAMILY VIOLENCE
PROTECTING YOUR CHILD’S BEST INTERESTS
At Ramsden Lawyers, we understand that your child’s safety is paramount, and protecting their best interests is our main concern. By leveraging our innovative solutions and expert guidance we are here to help you navigate the turmoil of child abuse and family violence with confidence and peace of mind.
UNDERSTANDING CHILD SUPPORT
In deciding the outcome of a parenting matter, the court’s paramount consideration will always be what is in the best interest of the child or children. In doing so, the court will always consider the child’s future welfare in each parent’s households, particularly with respect to exposure to harm as a result of child abuse and/ or family violence.
PARENTS CONDUCT
This is where the parent’s conduct becomes extremely relevant to the family law proceedings. Each trait a parent possesses can directly impact on the way the child or children will be treated and the experiences a child will be exposed to while in that parent’s care.
If a parent commits crimes, drinks excessively, uses illicit substances, engages in inappropriate sexual behaviour and/or experiences mental instability (for example, issues with anger management or suicidal tendencies), they will come under scrutiny throughout proceedings. Where such traits are possessed by a parent, the risk that a child or children will be exposed to harm while the parent’s care dramatically increases.
The court deems it to be in the best interest of each child to have a meaningful relationship with both parents. Protecting a child from the risk of harm can, in particular cases, outweigh the benefit to the child of having a relationship with that parent.
DISCRETION OF THE COURT
If one or both parents expose their child to child abuse and/ or family violence, the court is under an obligation to take prompt action. The court has the discretion to order one or a combination of the following:
- The child spends no time with the parent exposing the child to harm
- The child spends limited supervised time with the parent exposing the child to harm
- One parent has sole parental responsibility and has the capacity to make all long-term decisions for the child (such as the child’s location of residence, school, religion. last name, elective surgeries, immunisation, etc.)
CONTACTS
If you believe a child is in immediate danger or the situation is life-threatening, contact the Queensland Police Service immediately by dialing 000.
If you are aware or suspect that a child is being exposed to harm, you should consider contacting the Queensland police child protection and investigation unit or the Child Safety Services through one of the following means.
Visa telephone during normal business hours – contact the relevant Regional Intake Service;
Visa telephone after hours and on weekends (24/7) – contact the Child Safety After Hours Service Centre on 1800 177 135 or (07) 3235 9999;
Online – by completing an online report form.
If you have any queries in respect to the above, please contact our office for a free initial consultation.
