Nic Robson
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nicrobson.bsky.social
Nic Robson
@nicrobson.bsky.social
340 followers 320 following 33 posts
PhD Researcher into family court. BSc and MSc (judicial bias) in Forensic Psychology (GMBPsS). SHERA member.
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Reposted by Nic Robson
sheraresearch.bsky.social
The guidance fails to even mention child sexual abuse, who will be training CAFCASS and the judiciary in deciphering where there is harm from domestic abuse, child sexual abuse and/or harmful manipulation of a child against another parent.
Appropriate justified rejection (AJR) and attachment, affinity and alignment (AAA) 19.The court should remain mindful that a child might withdraw from a relationship with a parent for a variety of reasons. 20.Children can and do come to their own conclusions about what has happened in their family and how this affects their attitude to living with, or spending time with, one of their parents. They may wish to make choices or exert an influence over how they live their lives. 21.The child’s response may be an AJR because of harmful parenting, including neglect or exposure to abuse (of themselves or their other parent). 22.Their actions may arise from alignment or affinity with one parent. They may not have strong negative feelings for the other parent but prefer spending time with one parent. Alignment may arise from the child’s experience of the other parent’s level of involvement in their lives, poor parenting, developmentally inappropriate expectations of a parent or merely differing parenting styles. 23.The child’s behaviour and feelings may be an attachment strategy, their way of eliciting care from the parent they live with or protecting that relationship. 24.Alignment and attachment issues can result in RRR without any Alienating Behaviours being perpetrated by an adult. Indeed, it is important to recognise that a child’s RRR may remain unexplained, and the lack of a clear explanation does not confirm exposure to Alienating Behaviours. The child may have other reasons or motivations for their actions, e.g., their feelings about a new adult relationship or unhappiness about the practical arrangements in place. It is not appropriate for experts to ‘diagnose’ or risk assess Alienating Behaviours. The court’s deliberations should begin with domestic abuse and review the Alienating Behaviours allegations through that prism. If a court finds that domestic abuse has occurred resulting in AJR by the child, the allegations of alienation will fail. The burden is on the parent alleging ABs to prove the behaviours and harm: ‘a parent alleging Alienating Behaviours must discharge the burden of establishing both that such harmful behaviour has occurred, and that this behaviour has led to a child’s unjustified reluctance, resistance or refusal to spend time with that parent. There is no equivalence between domestic abuse and Alienating Behaviours. Domestic abuse is a criminal offence and both a parent/carer and a child may be a victim.’ In our view then - these criminal cases do not belong in family civil courts but specialised criminal courts ‘Care should be taken not to dismiss the voice of the child in the absence of compelling evidence to show that psychological manipulation has impacted on their capacity to freely express their wishes. Care should be taken not to assume that the style of language a child uses when speaking to professionals, in isolation, confirms an allegation of Alienating Behaviour or ‘coaching’.
December 11, 2024 at 2:37 PM
Reposted by Nic Robson
sheraresearch.bsky.social
Overall, we welcome this as a positive step BUT

We are not convinced this will stop legal professionals and abusers from counter-claiming alienating behaviours: full guidance here:
www.judiciary.uk/wp-content/u...
Negatives: Apart from quoting adult studies again to evidence so-called harm to children on ‘alienating behaviours’ as detailed above: The guidance fails to even mention child sexual abuse The guidance fails to mention who will be training CAFCASS and the judiciary in deciphering where there is harm from domestic abuse, child sexual abuse and/or harmful manipulation of a child against another parent. It is essential that courts have access to ongoing abuse, child development and trauma training and that this is delivered by accredited experts. Overall, we welcome this as a positive step BUT We are not convinced this will stop legal professionals and abusers from counter-claiming alienating behaviours: ‘Whilst allegations of Alienating Behaviour might be raised in the original application or response documents, the allegations might be raised for the first time at any stage in proceedings e.g., at the first case management hearing, or at a subsequent point, as a reason for the breakdown in child/parent relations. 33.It is incumbent on the court to case manage robustly to avoid, whenever possible...’ Vulnerable families will still face protracted and traumatic litigation. This must stop. full guidance here: https://www.judiciary.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Family-Justice-Council-Guidance-on-responding-to-allegations-of-alienating-behaviour-2024-1-1.pdf
December 11, 2024 at 2:37 PM
Reposted by Nic Robson
yorkshirebylines.co.uk
✍️ British mum speaks out about her modern slavery experience for charity campaign

In July, Yorkshire charity Cayseway launched a new campaign with an important film highlighting the reality of modern slavery

#AbolitionOfSlavery
British mum speaks out about her modern slavery experience for Yorkshire charity campaign
Yorkshire charity launches campaign with an important film highlighting the reality of modern slavery
yorkshirebylines.co.uk
December 2, 2024 at 8:19 AM
nicrobson.bsky.social
If you have any more suggestions please add them!
December 3, 2024 at 12:30 AM
nicrobson.bsky.social
Barnardos: shop.barnardos.org.uk/Wine-&-Treat...

Lots of hampers on here including kids sweets. Proceed go toward helping support children in the UK who are living in poverty, struggling with mental health conditions or in need of education.

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Wine & Treats Gift Box Hamper | Barnardo's Online Charity Shop
This luxury gift box is the perfect indulgence for those who appreciate the finer things in life. Inside the elegantly crafted box, you'll discover a miniature
shop.barnardos.org.uk
December 3, 2024 at 12:30 AM
nicrobson.bsky.social
From Babies with Love: frombabieswithlove.org

Baby clothing and toy company that donates ALL it's profits to orphaned and abandoned children. They support charities that provide family homes, education, healthcare and support to overcome trauma to children and young people.

/5
Organic Baby Clothes - From Babies with Love
Buy Beautiful Practical Organic Baby Clothes Online and All Profits support Abandoned Children. Free Drawstring Gift Bag and Stylish Greetings Card with All Orders. All gifts are ethically and sustain...
frombabieswithlove.org
December 3, 2024 at 12:30 AM
nicrobson.bsky.social
Cuddle and Kind Dolls: ca.cuddleandkind.com/en-gb

Each doll sold provides 10 meals to children experiencing poverty and hunger

/4
cuddle + kind dolls | 1 hand-knit doll = 10 meals
Ethically produced, hand-knit dolls that help feed children in need. Each doll is hand knit in Peru by talented artisans with premium cotton.
ca.cuddleandkind.com
December 3, 2024 at 12:30 AM
nicrobson.bsky.social
myfahlo.com/en-gb

Choose an animal to track such as a shark or a wolf, pick a bracelet and then each bracelet allows you to track your animal wherever it is in the world. They partner with non profits and conservation charities to help support wildlife.

/3
Fahlo | Animal Tracking Bracelets
Our mission is to Save Wildlife. Each Fahlo bracelet comes with an animal to track through our partnerships with the Sea Turtle Conservancy, Save the Elephants, Polar Bears International, and Saving t...
myfahlo.com
December 3, 2024 at 12:30 AM
nicrobson.bsky.social
Lend With Care: lendwithcare.org

Run by Care International, you lend money to an entrepreneur in a 3rd world or low income country. The entrepreneur sets up their business with your help, and then pays the loan back to you. (Minimum lend is £15)

/2
Microfinance from CARE International UK
CARE International's microfinance lending initiative
lendwithcare.org
December 3, 2024 at 12:27 AM
nicrobson.bsky.social
Can I also suggest SHERA please? bsky.app/profile/sher...
bsky.app
November 20, 2024 at 5:48 PM
nicrobson.bsky.social
I'm a researcher from and living in North Scotland. My current research is investigatiny children's experiences of being subject of orders of the courts and how that impacts them both in childhood and adulthood.
November 20, 2024 at 5:37 PM
nicrobson.bsky.social
I've added you now
November 20, 2024 at 1:00 PM