Community and national crime surveys indicate that one in four women will experience physical domestic violence during their life-times (Mooney, l994; Mirrlees-Black, l999; Walby and Allen, 2004); one in nine women will experience repeated serious physical domestic violence in the last year, and one in three will experience continued physical violence and harassment post-separation. At least half these women will have children (Stanko et al; l998, Mirrlees-Black, l999). Separation is the most dangerous time for women and children who have lived with domestic violence, which escalates during post-separation period (Mirrlees-Black, l999; Kelly, l999; Walby and Allen, 2004). Crime statistics year on year indicate that women are five times more likely to be killed by male partners or ex-partners than vice versa (Home Office, 2002).
In 2001, 55000 contact orders were granted and only 1 per cent (713) were refused. In 2002, 67000 contact orders were made and less than one per cent were denied. These figures suggest that a large number of children are being put at risk by the family courts. For example, research with 178 women's aid services have indicated that 82 children were ordered to have direct face to face contact with either schedule one offenders (i.e with fathers who had convictions for physical or sexual abuse, and/or cruelty to children) or who were on at risk registers, because of their fathers’ violence and abuse (Women's Aid, 2003).
