EU Justice and Home Affairs ministers discuss The Voice of the Child in Private Family Law

During the meeting, ministers discussed giving children a voice in family law proceedings that affect them. Two young people with lived experience of domestic violence and navigating the family justice system in Ireland spoke to the attendees about their experience, supported by Barnardos.

The young people stressed the importance of listening to children:

“Every child deserves to be safe. Every child deserves to be heard. And every child deserves a justice system that listens before it decides.”

“Our voices and opinions matter.”

“Ask us what happened, we were there to witness it.”

“A child doesn’t need a bruise to be abused.”

“We need people in the court that understand domestic abuse and how it effects children and the huge impact it has on people’s lives.”

The event forms part of Ireland’s overall commitment to place the “Voice of the Child” and youth participation at the centre of its policymaking agenda for the EU Presidency.

The ministerial discussion highlighted the need to improve the accessibility of the family law process for children, including by improving access to age-appropriate information about family law processes; better supporting children to articulate their views in cases that affect them such as guardianship, custody or access arrangements; and ensuring that children receive an explanation of how their views were taken into consideration in the decision making process.

Speaking at the event, minister O’Callaghan said: “Children and young people are citizens of today and not just adults of tomorrow. They have a right to be included and heard when decisions are being made that will affect them.

“These decisions can have lifelong ramifications for a child’s life and wellbeing.

“Therefore, the views of the child need to be not only heard as a formality but properly considered and reflected in legal decision making. Promoting the participation of children in these contexts will be a priority throughout the Irish Presidency.”