The Family Separation Clinic works with the High Court in England and Wales in cases which have been judged as causing harm to children. When we are instructed in the High Court, we work with families where children and parents are experiencing post separation abuse in the form of coercive control. We specialise in cases of ‘stranded spouses’ in which mothers of children are returned to the their country of origin and then left stranded by the fathers of their children. Such cases are seen in particular cultures and religions and are cause for grave concern for the wellbeing of children and their mothers who are left stranded.
We also work with families where children and parents are separated due to coercive control and are specialists in understanding how patterns of behaviours cause children to enter defensive splitting in which they align with one parent and reject the other. Both mothers and fathers and their children can be victims of coercive control and this form of post separation abuse can cause serious harm to the abused parent and child over time.
When we assess a family for intervention it is always after fact finding and always in circumstances where the maximum protection from coercive control over the child and abused parent can be obtained. We offer guidance to the Court in such circumstances on how to protect the abused parent/child dyad so that therapeutic work can be effective.
A recent judgment in the High Court of England and Wales recognised that mothers can carry out coercive control strategies against children and their fathers. This can be accessed here.
Karen Woodall - Psychotherapist, Writer, Researcher, Trainer 