Women defend Family Courts

Press, 14 May 1985, Page 18

Women defend Family Courts

PA Auckland A woman lawyer and a refuge worker have defended Family Court judges, saying they are not so gullible as to accept lies told by parents fighting for custody of their children. They were reacting to allegations made in a men's rights group survey that some women lied in court to gain custody of their children or to prevent their husbands having access. South Auckland women’s refuge counsellor, Ms Sue Neal, said Family Court judges “bend over backwards” to be fair to both parties. Judges rarely denied men access to their children, even if volent assaults and sexual abuse had happened before the separation, she said. Men who believed they were unfairly treated and

victimised during battles probably needed to-?i-look at their own attitudes j, and behaviour, said Ms**. Neal. A Family Court lawyer, .*» Ms Deidre Milne, said she accepted that both men and J women lied at court hear- - ings. .-I “If there is any doubt J whatsoever about the credi- •; bility of either partner’s story, the Judge will make .y an interim order until t things are sorted out,” she said. Ms Milne said partners -.r sometimes had to be re- j., minded that the interest of - the child were the first k. priority. < Men and women some- < times viewed things dif- • ferently and it was impos- .” sible for both parties to be satisfied after a custody * decision was made. »