Sex offender father

[Edgeofthemeadow]

My son's father (my now ex husband) sexually assaulted my teenager (his step child). He was given a custodial sentence, life on sex offender register, 10 yrs sexual harm prevention order; banning any contact with under 16's without parental consent. I divorced him obviously and have had no contact.

He was released from prison on licence recently. I am terrified he will try and go through the courts to get access to our son, who is 3.

Does anyone know if he would be likely to succeed in getting any type of contact?. I am hoping that considering the very serious nature of the assault, and the fact it was within the family unit and family home will mean perhaps no contact will be granted.

I'm desperately against even contact centre access as it will be so damaging to my poor teen knowing their beloved little brother is in regular contact with their abuser, on top of fears for the safety of my son himself.

Sorry, I have no advice. 💐hugs

I absolutely understand your concerns. Can I suggest you visit the website of the charity www.frg.org.uk/ (Family Rights Group) who seem to specialise in advising on this very issue.

Thank you for your replies. Il check out the website now.

Good god I have no advice but I'd be fighting him all the way and moving far away (if that was possible).

Good luck op and fingers crossed he doesn't bother trying to get contact

It is very unlikely any court would award unsupervised face to face contact with your child. I really wouldn't worry.

Thanks all for your advice. It's such a worry. I will indeed fight all the way against any kind of contact. Even supervised contact would be so detrimental to the mental wellbeing of us all. Do any of you know if he would be able to apply for legal aid to take me to court?. He would certainly meet the criteria financially as he has nothing, but would they find this sort of case for him? I presume he would have to get the sexual harm order overturned?

I'm not sure about the legal aid but he does have a legal right to be able to approach a court. However, they can throw it out before it gets there. If you, as the mother, stand against it then that does make an impact with social services and help to hinder him in the future.

Under these circumstances he would not be able to get legal aid.

Thank you all for your advice.

Hi OP - you should have a Probation victim liaison officer. Contact them to see whether you and your son are named on his non-contact licence conditions. It will make access virtually impossible.

Did social services contact you shortly prior to his release?

Both victim liaison and social services are so vague about what would potentially happen. Obviously I know they cant really speculate what decision a judge might make, or whether my ex will persue contact but I think I was hoping someone would tell me that in reality contact would not be allowed.

We are indeed named as non contact under his license conditions. Does that mean he cannot even approach a court for contact until he is off licence?

Part of his sentencing stated that he would have to under go thorough assessment by social services if he ever was to try and get access but I felt this was added to prevent me allowing contact (as if I ever would) in the future. I really dont trust that any assessment could gauge the risk he poses as I lived with him for years of and there was no sign that he was capable of such a hideous crime.

Sorry for rambling and thanks for all your input.