A Landmark Week for Kaleidoscopic UK & Survivor Voices in Parliament
What a truly incredible and emotional week it has been for Kaleidoscopic UK.
After years of campaigning, advocating, challenging systems, and standing alongside survivors of domestic abuse, this week marked a moment that genuinely felt hard to believe.
Many years ago, our CEO was the first person to petition for mandatory domestic abuse training for the judiciary of family court. While this was an important step forward, over time it became clear that training alone was not enough. Survivors needed specialist domestic abuse professionals embedded within the family court system itself, not only to support victim-survivors, but to help advise the judiciary in cases where abuse is alleged or present.
This is why Kaleidoscopic UK has continued to campaign tirelessly for the inclusion of IDVAs and recently CHIDVAs (Child Independent Domestic Violence Advisors) within the family courts. With recent surveys showing that abuse is alleged or identified in 87% of family court cases, we know just how urgently specialist support and understanding of all areas of abuse are needed.
To finally be granted a parliamentary debate on this issue was both humbling, validating and emotional.
To contribute towards the speech, sit within Parliament while these vital discussions were taking place, and then speak directly with ministers afterwards was an experience we will never forget.
We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Clive Jones MP for championing survivor voices, believing in the need for change, and supporting this campaign every step of the way. We are also deeply grateful for the time he spent with us afterwards, including showing us around Parliament and the House of Lords, a truly special and memorable experience for some of our team.
We also want to thank every MP and minister who contributed to the debate, shared insights from constituents across the country, and supported further discussion around these proposals. Hearing so many powerful experiences and perspectives shared by constituents across the country within the room reminded us exactly why this work matters so deeply and is vital.
This moment is only the beginning.
We know meaningful change takes time, but we remain hopeful that these conversations will continue to move forward and help shape a safer, more trauma-informed family court system for adults and children affected by domestic abuse.
Most importantly, we want to thank every survivor who has trusted Kaleidoscopic UK to walk alongside them on their journey.
While we cannot undo the additional trauma many have experienced within the system, we remain committed to using those experiences to help create lasting change for future generations.
Together, we continue pushing forward.
Please sign the petition to share your support and voice and gain IDVAS/CHIDVAS to advise the family court judiciary on all areas of domestic abuse, patterns and post separation abuse while recognising and highlighting tactics used by perpetrators.
