Take the step to go to court?

[user1487854472]

I am in a very difficult situation at present. Currently going through the divorce process following awful DV. He was cautionedfor assault, dangerous driving following me with daughter in the car and various threats. I have a year old daughter who I feel is at risk in ex's care. In fact, he hasn't had unsupervised contact in the whole year. I have still allowed significant contact, but supervised. He frequently doesn't attend and makes up various excuses. Yet he has threatened court on countless occasions.
I'm wondering whether I should take the step to go to court to ensure residency is with me, and that all contact should be in a contact centre until he attends anger management and a caring dad's course. I feel that I should take control of the situation and also try to get him to step up to be a 'decent' dad. Any suggestions or advice would be greatly appreciated.

Just to add that he doesn't care about his child, she is purely a way to control me.

Hi OP, I'm going through court also. I think it will be difficult for you to get what you want in court as they usually start with the status quo which you have said is that he has a significant amount of contact.

However, you mention your child could be in danger - has his dangerous behaviour started since you split up or was it during the relationship and you allowed the contact after?

FWIW I've now got a non-molestation order against my ex granted for the next 3 years and he has to go on the domestic violence DVPP course which is 26 weeks long. If he shows improvement he may be allowed to see my son supervised in a contact centre once per month for an hour.

Once I got rid of my ex I allowed no contact at all until he took me to court and this was the result.

Sorry, I didn't word that well. I have offered significant contact, but he maybe sees her for a couple of hours a week at most. Sometimes going a few weeks between contact.

The violence began whilst I was pregnant. I have had significant input from an IDVA, family practitioner and my health visitor. They were so concerned that a Marac took place. I have continued to allow contact in a safe manner as I feel it is my daughter's right to know her dad.

Yes your child also has a right to be safe. You cannot allow contact if she isn't safe and as she is only a year old it won't have too much of an effect on her. My son is only 18m old now and hasn't seen his dad since he was 8m old and doesn't know any different.

I would say avoid court unless you really have to. Your case will be heard by magistrates and I'm afraid there is no way to know what crazy-arse orders they will make.

Hold onto control of the situation as long as you can.