On 21st June 2020, the majority of us celebrated Father’s Day – whether that be as a father, or celebrating our own father, grandfather, parental figure and so on. Unfortunately, there are some who were unable to celebrate with their fathers and fathers unable to celebrate with the child(ren).
The campaign group Fathers4Justice sent a Father’s Day letter to the Prime Minister asking him to make the denial of “contact” and parental alienation criminal offences. The letter also raising concerns regarding discrimination against men in relation to domestic abuse, where 1 in 3 victims are male.
The founder of Fathers4Justice, Matt O’Connor, stated:
“In an age of so-called equality for all, it is shameful that 97% of men are denied parental equality in secret family courts simply because of their gender…
Given Boris Johnson will celebrate his first Father’s Day with his new son Wilfred, it is time his government addressed the epidemic of mass fatherlessness that has cruelly robbed a generation of children of their dads….
He should also level up by appointing a Minister for Men so men have an equal voice and representation in government, the same as women do with their Minister for Women and Equalities. We could then co-ordinate a meaningful response to mass fatherlessness, the suicide epidemic, the 70% of COVID deaths who are men, and for the 1 in 3 domestic abuse victims who are male.”
I wonder whether this will hold a debate in many areas, not only parental alienation but also the arguments regarding domestic violence against men and male suicide and the premature mortality rates of men.
Watch this space, let’s see if we hear a response.
The information provided in this article is not intended to constitute legal advice and you should take full and comprehensive legal advice on your individual circumstances by a fully qualified Solicitor before you embark on any course of action.
Emma Aslett
0207 183 4595