Dr Charlotte Proudman gives evidence at the House of Lords Committee for the Domestic Abuse Act 2021
- Apr 27
- 1 min read
On 19 March 2026, Dr Charlotte Proudman, gave evidence at the House of Lords committee for the Domestic Abuse Act 2021.
Dr Proudman, founder and in-house counsel at Proudmans was invited to give her expertise on how domestic abuse is treated in the family justice system, following the 2021 Act.
Drawing on her experience as a family court barrister specialising in domestic abuse, she highlighted that the family justice system remains slow to recognise domestic abuse as directly relevant to children’s welfare.
Dr Proudman emphasised that children are not simply witnesses to abuse; they are victims in their own right. This was recognised in Section 3 of the 2021 Act, but still does not translate into the way decisions are made in the family courts.
The family courts continue to to minimise the impact of historical and non-physical abuse, and Dr Proudman called on the courts to recognise the long-lasting harm of abuse, especially on children.
She also stressed the importance of adopting trauma-informed and intersectional approaches within the courts, practices that are central to our work at Proudmans. Dr Proudman also advocated for training for judges and family court professionals to ensure children, in particular, are listened to when they disclose domestic abuse because dismissing them causes further trauma.
Proudmans is dedicated to reforming the family justice system, championing the rights of abuse survivors. Dr Proudman is a leading figure in family justice reform and alongside Right to Equality, the campaigning organisation she founded and co-directs, works to promote equality for women and stronger protections for children in family court proceedings.
Published 27 April 2026.
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