Very worried that my ex has started to manipulate our eldest child - who is 6.
A brief explanation...
Having separated from my husband 2 years ago I have suffered all sorts of abuse from him - emotional abuse, financial abuse, coercive control and it's ongoing. He's currently refusing to pay the mortgage in the home we jointly own (but he resides in alone) to punish me for applying for child maintenance for our two children.
Anyway, to cut a very long story short I think he is now manipulating and controlling our eldest daughter. I can deal with him doing it to me (even though I'm extremely depressed and don't know which way to turn) but my daughter is now showing signs and saying things completely out of character and words that she just wouldn't use.
We are due a CAFCASS section 7 report because I have documented the abuse and I think they will speak to our eldest daughter. Will CAFCASS be able to recognise manipulation of the child? She says things that a 6 year old just wouldn't say and is also saying she wants to reside with him more (even though she's been reduced to tears previously at the suggestion of this). She's literally changed so much and I'm seriously worried that he's trying to manipulate her before CAFCASS do their report.
Does anyone have any advice please? I'm under a solicitor but I'm trying to keep communication down as I just can't afford to keep paying the extortionate fees she charges.
I'm so worried. As I said I can deal with him doing it to me but the thought of him now doing it to our children absolutely breaks my heart.