Family courts - Dickensian system must be revamped

CHILLING images of the family law court as a cold, crude and cruel environment are enough to make any victim of domestic violence shudder.

That a district court judge described this bleak scenario underlines the urgency of overhauling Ireland's Dickensian system.

According to Judge Mary Martin, there is urgent need for reform, including special training for judges and more public information on what goes on in the family courts.

It takes courage to get involved in a court system as harsh as that described by Judge Martin. Unlike assault, larceny or road traffic violations, family law judges have to get their hands dirty. Where children are involved, she believes a judge needs the wisdom of Solomon, therapeutic powers and organisational abilities.

Her description of domestic violence could not be more graphic "broken bones, on women and children, dreadful marks and bruises, physical and mental scars. The sadness of women believing they are to blame, that they caused the problem or deserved this ill-treatment; the stories of broken homes, broken bodies, broken minds and broken lives".

Men, she adds, find it "hard to understand they do not have the right to hit, control, rape, abuse physically, sexually or mentally, or manipulate their partners".

For a change, Justice Minister Michael McDowell should resist the urge to lecture a member of the judiciary. Rather, he should listen carefully to what a judge with more than 30 years' experience on the bench has to say.

Victims of domestic violence should not be compelled to negotiate with up to 22 different agencies. The Government must streamline the court system and make family law more humane, more compassionate and more user friendly.