Has anyone ever been awarded no contact order for their children via the family court?

[Dancingonmyown9]

I'm interested to know if anyone has ever been told by the courts the non resident parent can't have contact and what led to that circumstance? Currently going through the court with a very abusive ex.

Hello, sorry to hear about your ex, it must be stressful going through court. Are you talking about an order for literally no contact at all, not even indirect contact like sending cards and presents for christmas and birthdays, or a more limited order for no regular unsupervised EOW type contact. The former I would say is quite rare, usually only in circumstances of quite extreme abuse and/or where the children are older and able to express a reasoned and logical view that they don't want any contact at all, unless the father agrees to it of course. An order for limited, reduced and/or indirect only contact is more common I'd say. In the case of younger children and/or where there has been some abuse but the risk of harm to the children can be managed through some level of management of the contact and/or where there has been a period of prolonged no contact for whatever reason, the courts are usually keen to preserve some kind of relationship for the children with their father even if this is in quite a limited way. The view is that however horrible a person he is, he is ultimately their father and therefore a part of their history and identity and it's better for them to have some knowledge and contact with him providing that's not immediately harmful, than to cut him out altogether, which can lead to all sorts of self-esteem issues later in life, construction of alternative internal narratives like 'daddy doesn't see me because I was bad and he doesn't love me' and/or idolisation or fantasizing about the absent parent. If they occasionally see or hear from their father in a controlled way this can help manage all this for them. That's how the courts think, you may or may not agree, but if you are of the view that it's in your children's best interests to not see their father at all you need to be aware that you need quite a strong argument for that because it's against the way the courts normally operate - the starting presumption is that some relationship with a parent is better than no relationship...

Of course the courts will look at all the facts of the case and a lot will depend on the kind of abuse, whether he admits it and/or its proven by evidence, what level of risk both physical and emotional he poses to the children, whether indirect or supervised contact could adequately manage those risks etc etc. and what the children themselves think if they are of an age to express an opinion. I understand the desire to hear other people's experiences but each case is decided on its own facts so one person saying they did or didn't get an order for something doesn't mean you'll have the same outcome. Have you got a solicitor or barrister to talk this through with?

My ex has been given a non contact order by the family court this week. This was after failed contact was approved and he put her at risk, was charged with stalking and broke his restraining order multiple times. I think if there's clear evidence of domestic abuse proven through police, courts, women's aid etc the courts are more understanding of the issues. Is your ex abusive ? If so you should report him and utilise as many professionals as possible.

I had lots of domestic abuse proof and was told it was about his relationship with child, not with me. Basically he has contact and the courts have failed to keep me safe previously.

I'm so sorry. I don't know what will happen next, my solicitor says it'll be till she's 16. He's put her at risk lots and has behavioural aggression and substance issues too. It's been awful. They agreed a prohibited steps after I withdrew contact then it all kicked off. She's only 6.
I really feel for you, can you prove he is a risk to your child as well as you ?

He chose not to respond or engage with final chances with cafcass and the court.

Hi I know this was posted a while ago but I'm wondering how things turned out for you? I'm wondering the same thing as I'm fleeing a very abusing man who has just filed a child arrangements order. Thanks. @Dancingonmyown9