Right to Transparency is asking 300 women to document bad experiences of Ireland’s family courts for a planned UN submission. The advocacy group launched its 300 Silenced Voices campaign at an event in Dublin on Saturday.
The initiative seeks accounts from women who believe family proceedings failed them or inadequately addressed children’s safety concerns. The group plans to submit information to the United Nations Committee Against Torture, according to The Irish Times.
Women Asked To Document Bad Experiences
The group also urged Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan to implement recommendations from a May 2025 review. Those recommendations concern reforming the in-camera rule, which restricts reporting of family law proceedings.
About 30 survivors of intimate partner violence and abuse and coercive control attended Saturday’s event. Experts in law, psychology, domestic violence, policing and victims’ rights also participated, The Irish Times reported.
Lisa Ann Wilkinson, a barrister and the group’s founder, explained the route for civil society submissions. Organisations can provide information while the committee monitors states’ compliance with the convention prohibiting torture and other cruel treatment.
Wilkinson said the campaign would record issues reported by survivors, including allegations that domestic abuse concerns were ignored. Other reported issues include child safety concerns being minimised, lengthy litigation and a lack of trauma-informed courts.
The campaign will also document concerns about biased expert evidence, Wilkinson said at the event. Right to Transparency wants to examine whether recurring experiences raise broader questions about Ireland’s obligations toward survivors and children.
Survivors Describe Court And Assessment Concerns
“We are asking 300 mothers to come forward. Not because every case is the same, but because the scale and consistency of what survivors are reporting deserves rigorous examination.”
Wilkinson said many women describe similar experiences once domestic abuse enters the family court system. The call to document bad experiences seeks accounts for examination, rather than assuming every case is identical.
According to the group, some mothers reported children disclosing sexual abuse before custody or contact arrangements changed. Other accounts concerned children maintaining contact with, or entering the care of, a parent charged with domestic violence offences.
These are reported concerns, rather than findings established by the proposed campaign or submission. The group also said women described domestic abuse and coercive control being overlooked or inadequately recognised during assessments and proceedings.
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“Family courts quite properly protect the privacy of children and families but privacy must not mean that systemic problems cannot be identified,” said Wilkinson. “Where the same experiences are being reported by large numbers of survivors, there has to be a mechanism for examining whether something deeper is happening.”
Experts Discuss Section 32 Reports
Survivors at the event criticised assessments used to prepare Section 32 reports for family proceedings. Those assessments involve interviews with parties and children, according to the report.
Several survivors said assessors twisted their words, while others raised concerns about qualifications and bias. Many also indicated children were denied mental health services because the father would not consent.
Clinical psychologist Dr Ian McCabe said some assessors appeared to lack appropriate qualifications and experience. McCabe called for an independent report based on the child’s voice.
Susan Leahy, a University of Limerick law lecturer, argued that courts should not handle family disputes. Leahy cited concerns about judges’ and lawyers’ empathy in explaining that view.
Separate coverage of women’s health investment examines support for women’s care. For this campaign, women can document bad experiences through Right to Transparency’s website if proceedings inadequately addressed their experiences or children’s safety.
Frequently asked questions
Who is asking women to document their family court experiences?
Right to Transparency launched the 300 Silenced Voices campaign and is seeking accounts from 300 women.
Where does the group plan to submit the information?
The group plans to submit information to the United Nations Committee Against Torture as part of its monitoring process.
What concerns does the campaign seek to document?
Reported concerns include domestic abuse, children’s safety, expert assessments, litigation costs and trauma-informed courts.
How can women participate in the campaign?
Women who believe proceedings inadequately addressed their experiences or children’s safety can participate through Right to Transparency’s website.
