"A reduction in applications for Domestic Protection Orders represents nothing more than a reduction in the popularity
of this particular instrument for deliberately denying children the right to a relationship with one of their parents,
usually their father" Darryl Ward, spokesperson for Families Apart Require Equality (FARE), said today.
"Applications for Domestic Protection Orders are down to 6581 in the year ended 30 June 2000, from 7911 four years
earlier.
"It is well known that malicious allegations of violence are routinely used to deliberately manipulate custody and
access proceedings, and to alienate children from one of their parents. Furthermore, the official definition of violence
differs from what the public understands it to mean. Such heinous crimes as slamming a door or criticising one's
mother-in-law are officially deemed domestic violence. Mere accusation of such acts can and do result in children being
alienated from one parent on a regular basis. Such parental alienation is itself nothing short of violence against
children.
"Regrettably, the Government's insistence on keeping the Family Court secret ensures these problems will remain hidden
from public scrutiny.
"It also must be recognised that women are just as violent as men, but that it is not politically correct to admit
this.
"We must also question the validity of the figures put out by Women's Refuges about the numbers of women and children
who use their services. There is considerable evidence that a significant number of those who use such services do so
because they need a roof over their heads, and not because they have necessarily recently been victims of violence.
However, we can understand the refuge movement's reasons for inflating violence figures for funding purposes as well as
for gaining public sympathy. But in doing so they are painting a very inaccurate picture of the day to day reality of
family violence".
"The blight of family violence will never be removed from our society so long as its true nature remains inaccurately
reported", concluded Ward.
ends
Enquiries to Darryl Ward 025 230 1667