the challenge

Women who are victim-survivors of domestic abuse and violence often face profound challenges when navigating the family court system. Despite the abuse they have endured, many encounter disbelief, minimisation, or a lack of understanding of coercive control and its ongoing effects. 

The legal process can inadvertently re-traumatise survivors, forcing them to confront their abusers in court or through child contact arrangements that fail to prioritise safety and psychological wellbeing. Increasingly, women’s legitimate concerns about abuse are undermined by allegations of so-called parental alienation — a pseudoscientific concept often used to discredit protective mothers and divert attention from the perpetrator’s behaviour. 

Challenging such allegations is an uphill battle, as they are frequently presented as expert evidence despite lacking credible scientific foundation or recognition within mainstream psychology. This misuse of pseudo-expertise can have devastating consequences for women and children, reinforcing power imbalances and leading to unsafe custody or contact outcomes.

Beyond the family courts, women in Ireland also face systemic barriers in vindicating their rights within healthcare, particularly in maternity and women’s health. Failures in communication, accountability, and care standards often leave women feeling dismissed or harmed, with conditions such as endometriosis and birth injuries routinely overlooked or minimised. 

The struggle to obtain recognition, redress, and justice in both the legal and medical systems reflects a broader societal pattern — one in which women must continually fight to have their experiences believed, their autonomy respected, and their rights upheld.