On behalf of a friend:
If a father (before divorce and when still
living in the family home) had had big anger problems and been emotionally abusive - also physically abusive in as much as smashing things up and ‘swiping’ at the children - would it be reasonable or unreasonable to deny overnight visits? He possibly slapped one child on the side of the face but the mother was out of sight and the daughter was crying but would not speak about it. She heard what sounded like it though. He was in a massive rage but denied it when confronted. Child was holding face and crying.
He is now classic Disney Dad doing fun days out and saying all the right things, appears to be much calmer. But has had screaming rages for many years and it’s hard to believe that part of him is completely gone. Also classic liar etc.
Nearly all of his ‘episodes’ were evening time and children not going to sleep in a quiet, orderly fashion was a big trigger (amongst other things like work and health problems).
He has a new girlfriend that doesn’t understand why the kids don’t come to stay. My friend is petrified that he can’t be relied upon to keep it together overnight and is generally not competent to look after them (also he always smoked a lot of weed - don’t know for sure but doubt that has changed). She is very amenable about daytime access as he seems to be managing that much better than before and the kids like seeing him. But the newly raised question of overnight stays has made her very anxious. In ‘normal’ circumstances it wouldn’t be an issue but they don’t seem like normal circumstances (her solicitor queried if they should use a contact centre for him to see them for a while).
Anyone have any thoughts?