Family Court System Sinister?
A woman suspected of abducting her two young sons poses “a risk of harm” to the boys, a family court has said.
Comment:
Some time ago, we discussed a harrowing Panorama programme which exposed the dangers of the way Family Courts operate in secret, purportedly to protect the children. Infants have been taken from their parents, with often irreparable damage caused, and yet we are still being asked to blindly trust the social workers and other agents of the court.
In 2013, one top Judge called for an end to this secrecy yet here we are again, reading about a case where no details are given but we are supposed to believe that this mother “poses a risk of harm” to her sons. Says who? What sort of harm? Does she hold beliefs on religion and morals that don’t fit in with the new politically correct “values” in the UK? Or what? They look very happy little boys and she doesn’t look like a madwoman, from the photos released to date, so I’m not sure we should assume the worst at all – just because the “authorities” say so. In fact, in 2014, Liberal Democrat MP John Hemming suggested to Panorama that parents suspected of abuse flee the country, rather than fight for justice through the Family Courts – because the system is loaded against them. Click here to read more and view short video
Family life is being attacked on all fronts, so maybe Catholics should be a little more savvy when it comes to investing blind trust in the Family Court system. Let’s not forget that the culture in the UK today is almost entirely anti-family, and certainly anti-traditional family values. Surely, if there is a problem within a family, it ought to be sorted out there, not by removing children from their mother and home, with heartbreak all round. How can that help? I see it as sinister. But, maybe you disagree?
Comments (15)
It’s all very urgent sounding – I just checked the news and there is nothing more from yesterday, still just a general “risk” claim and get in touch urgently message, so I am highly suspicious.
If this woman was a violent person they would soon say so, IMHO. When describing the boys, they didn’t say there were bruises to look for or anything like that. The kids look well cared for and not anxious in any way, so I do wonder that the police are saying so little.
I know it’s only speculation but the ages of the two women who were arrested for helping the mother sound of ages to be her mother and sister, so they would hardly help her if they thought the children were in danger of abuse or violence, IMHO.
I totally agree with the judge who said the family courts had to be more open and above board. I wonder if there were any changes after he said that, though doesn’t sound like it going by the vague police statements.
Michaela,
I’ve just checked too and there is nothing more on this strange case. I think if the children were afraid or at risk they would be able to signal that, or run for help. I’m also suspicious about this.
People will criticise that mother for taking off with her children but the truth is, they were very likely going to be put into care and up for adoption right away, or the mum probably feared that would happen – it happens a lot in this country and people don’t realise it, due to the very secrecy of the family courts that the judge rightly said has to change. If your child was going to be put up for adoption (sometimes because of errors made by diagnosis, or social workers) wouldn’t you take off?
The Church should be speaking up more for the family and the rights of parents not laying back in silence while families are taken over by the state.
Nicky,
That’s what I think happened. She was so afraid of losing her children that she’s panicked and run off with them. God help her. I do agree about the lack of leadership from church people but I suppose the cloud of the child abuse publicity is still hanging over them, to a large extent.
Lily,
I think you’re right about the panic; my first thought was that it was a mistake to panic and run, but then a young mother reminded me of the Panorama programme which revealed how quickly children in these situations are put up for adoption, so I became more sympathetic. I took a very quick tour of a “mums” blog and found the majority, if not all, thought the same. As the judge said (who called for an end to the secrecy of these family courts) after the death penalty, this is just the worst thing that could happen to anyone, having their children removed, and, worse, put up for what is an irreversible adoption. Doesn’t matter how much evidence may belatedly show the parents’ innocence, once a child is adopted, they stay with their adoptive family. That, in my humble view, is completely criminal. Just imagine having been taken from our parents at a young age and placed with strangers – and the parents not guilty of any kind of abuse. It’s a scandal.
And in a land where they routinely butcher babies in their mother’s womb, with the blessing of the State & Courts, they want us to think they’re concerned for children “at risk” of some kind of un-named abuse? Gimme a break.
We do have to allow for the possibility that this mother is somehow a danger to her children, but I agree the lack of openness, the secrecy, doesn’t instil confidence.
I suggest we all keep her in our prayers.
Josephine,
I do agree, we have to pray for this mother.
I found this prayer online and I think it is very appropriate to pray on behalf of this mother in her suffering:-
O Lord, hear my cry pouring out from a troubled heart. The sorrow which clutches at my soul has driven me to You my protector, my True Friend in time of need.
You know, my God, all my failings, my faults and my sins as well as the torment gripping my soul. My greatest sorrow should be for my disregard of Your holy commandments in the past, and I sincerely hope that you will grant me the grace of true contrition.
O my Savior, hide not Your Face from me in this tribulation, let the light of Your Countenance shine upon me that I may be illuminated by Its love. If it be Your will, lighten this burden from me, yet should it be a means of my salvation, help me, help me O Lord, to carry this cross, for alone I can do nothing.
Radiate Your love upon Your prodigal child O Lord, this beggar who knocks at Your door seeking shelter in Your Sacred Heart; this once proud earthen vessel made of clay seeks You, O Christ, and in a newly found faith, firmly believes that you will receive him in Your limitless Love and Mercy. Amen
Josephine,
“We do have to allow for the possibility that this mother is somehow a danger to her children”
That has to be a possibility, I agree, but I;m thinking the mother must have had custody of her children before that court decision, so what was suddenly so serious that they had to be taken from her? I really think the secrecy is a worry. It just takes one social worker to make a wrong assessment and lives are ruined. I think the system is really a cause for concern.
No way will bishops or priests speak out about this – when was the last time you heard them defending the family? Even with the Named Person scheme looming in Scotland, they are saying next to nothing.
Josephine,
We do have to allow for the possibility that this mother is somehow a danger to her children.
That’s a reasonable assumption until we remember that the State is about as concerned for the safety of children as any member of staff at your local abortion clinic. Remember, one of the first people to be appointed a Named Person in Scotland, with oversight of 200 children, was herself convicted of child abuse!
Until we have more details, my cynicism remains healthily in place, and the mother has my sympathy and prayers.
Even IF she is somehow a “danger” to her children, I believe that any problems within a family ought to be resolved therein – not in State institutions. The fact is, there are NO perfect parents, and even in the world of professional Counselling that has come to be recognised to the extent that they use the term “good enough parenting” rather than more effusive or negative terms. If someone is a “good enough parent”, then that’s considered… well… good enough! I’m sure you’ll get my drift…
Samantha Baldwin is still on the run – and she seems to be a single mother (“Miss”).
I’m very sorry for her and share the suspicions of the authorities, so I’m keeping her in my prayers.
A very interesting conversation going on here about Samantha Baldwin:
https://www.mumsnet.com/Talk/in_the_news/2892710-Samantha-Baldwin
Helen,
That conversation confirms my own feelings about this case. Notice her friend who says there is no way the mother would harm her kids and the other comment saying she would do the same in those circumstances.
I see that the fundraising website has been pulled
http://www.devonlive.com/fundraising-page-to-help-on-the-run-mum-samantha-baldwin-closed-down/story-30248799-detail/story.html
I agree with the people on the mumsnet blog who say there is much more to this than we’re being told. Of course there are the usual people who think the courts are beyond reproach but the majority of the comments are objective and realistic, people who can think for themselves and read between the lines and who don’t have courts and social workers etc on a pedestal.
I am with the mumsnet blogger who said she’s obviously run away with her kids to protect them, and who hopes she’s never found.
It would be good if the Church ran hostels for women at risk or in similar situations to Samantha Baldwin, like the Legion of Mary used to do for prostitutes, as then they would have some safe place to go and be helped.
Hi, please if you can pray for Sam and her boys Louis and Dylan. I have known her for more than a year. I was horrified to hear how the boys were abused and how the police ignored it all. The whole family has tried everything to let the system know of the abuse. The boys even had names of different men who abused them. They have real physical proof as well. It’s seems like it’s a ring that goes up high.
Alrikas,
We are, indeed, praying for Sam and her sons.
As for the rest of your comment, I’m not sure what to advise. Obviously, we do not have the full story, but perhaps if family and friends combine to take the case to someone with some power to act, someone who should be objective – perhaps a lawyer who would take the case pro bono, or an MP – you’ll get my drift – something might be achieved.
Any such injustices are a scandal, so I hope that you are in some way able to help put right any injustice in this case.
16 April – Easter Sunday…
I have received an email from an Anglican source, expressing concern about this mother and her children, because, as the new blogger, friend of the mother, claims above, it seems that these children have, indeed, been abused by relatives and the mother has been trying to protect them, in the absence of support from the authorities. It’s a story with a familiar ring to it, so in order to avoid harming the case for this mother, I will leave the thread closed, at least for now, with a request for prayers for Samantha and her boys. Our Lady, Mother Most Pure, pray for them.
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