The Family Court's Contact At All Costs Culture with Natalie Page

In this week's episode I am joined by campaigner, author and family court consultant Natalie Page for a thought-provoking conversation about domestic abuse, family court proceedings and the experiences of mothers and children within the family justice system. ### In this episode we discuss: - The campaign to change the presumption of parental involvement, and why Natalie argues for a more neutral position which places children's safety and risk of harm at the centre of decisions about contact. - The voice and lived experience of the child, including what can happen when children feel unheard or their experiences are reframed through allegations of parental alienation. - Institutional silencing and mother blaming within family court proceedings, and what these issues mean for professional accountability and safeguarding practice. - The handling of domestic abuse and coercive control within private family proceedings - How counter-allegations can shift the focus from the alleged perpetrator to the victim - The concept of "story creep", where an allegation about a parent's behaviour can gradually become embedded within the professional narrative despite questions about the evidence underpinning it. Natalie also shares more about her campaigning and her book, *The System Is the Weapon: How Abusive Fathers Exploit Family Courts Against Mothers and Children*.   Are you fired up to generate implementable learning in reviews? An important opportunity is about to arise and I don't want you to miss it. Join me for the FREE online 5 day training **'**How To Leverage Your Skills As A Blue Light Professional To Establish A Successful Career In Independent Reviews**'** taking place from 14th - 18th September 2026.  Inside the 5 day training you will learn: ⭐ how to find work that is flexible and meaningful post retirement or as your next career move ⭐ the essential skills and knowledge from your current role that are transferable to independent review work  ⭐ understanding the framework of independent reviews: what you need to know to get started ⭐ key strategies for building credibility and finding your first independent review opportunities ⭐ why SILP is the most engaging, proportionate method for independent reviews and so much more. All you need is an hour a day to get involved. You will receive a task to complete each day which will take 15 minutes max & an hour each evening online with me to learn more, to ask questions & receive feedback. Recordings will be available for any sessions you miss. It is an unprecedented opportunity to spend a whole 5 days with me as I support you on your journey to understanding this impactful career path. To join me click here.     **About Natalie Page:** Natalie Page is an independent paralegal and activist and author of 'The System is the Weapon'. She has dedicated over a decade to exposing systemic failure in family courts and holding institutions accountable for failing domestic abuse survivors and their children. Her groundbreaking investigations, reports, and advocacy  have driven national and international conversations on coercive control, parental alienation myths, military domestic abuse and family court reform. Website: https://nataliepage.co.uk Facebook: The Court Said You can find Natalie's Book 'The System is the Weapon' here.   **About Donna:** Donna has 16 years public sector experience, including her last role as Head of Law for a leading metropolitan authority. Now a safeguarding adviser & trainer, Donna is involved in Safeguarding Adult Reviews, Child Safeguarding Practice Reviews and Domestic Homicide Reviews and Domestic Abuse Related Death Reviews. She is also an accredited SILP Reviewer and Mentor. Donna offers 'SILP School' her university accredited training course, Momentum her space for reviewers & a free online network for leaders in review practice.   Linkedin: [https://www.linkedin.com/in/donna-ohdedar-review-consulting-ltd/](https://www.linkedin.com/in/donna-ohdedar-review-consulting-ltd/ "https://www.linkedin.com/in/donna-ohdedar-review-consulting-ltd/") Join my free Facebook group Blue Light Professionals [here](https://www.facebook.com/groups/199283641172120 "https://www.facebook.com/groups/199283641172120")   Engagement + proportionality + strengths = SILP