05 February 2012: Listen to the children
If you don't believe the old farts in the fathers rights movement, then listen to some of the kids affected by contact denial.
04 February 2012: Ray Barry in the media
Listen again here Premier Radio
Children to have rights in parent separation
February 3, 2012
New rules will see all children given the right to see both parents if they split up.
It's understood the 1989 Children Act will be rewritten meaning the courts will make sure youngster stay in contact with their guardians unless their welfare is threatened.
Ray Barry is a Christian from the group Real Fathers for Justice.
He tells Premier keeping dads in contact with their children is vital.
>Link<
03 February 2012: Children win access to fathers
Rffj say: Some hope for fathers, but until a level playing field truly exists in family law, then the campaign will go on.
Children are for the first time to be given the legal right to have a proper relationship with both their parents after a divorce, The Telegraph can disclose.
Eight per cent of single parents in Britain are fathers
By Christopher Hope, Telegraph Senior Political Correspondent
02 Feb 2012
Ministers intend to rewrite the law in an attempt to ensure that fathers get improved access to their offspring after a marriage breaks down.
Currently, family courts decide to leave children with their mothers in the vast majority of divorce cases.
Campaigners have long complained that without a legal right to see their children, fathers can be excluded, particularly when a split has been acrimonious. By creating the new right for children, ministers hope that judges ruling on custody disputes will ensure more equal access for both parents.
A ministerial working group will be announced on Monday to decide how the Children’s Act 1989 needs to be amended.
According to the Office for National Statistics, one in three children, equivalent to 3.8 million, lives without their father. Ministers are particularly concerned about boys growing up without a strong male influence.
Eight per cent of single parents in Britain are fathers.
The announcement will give hope to campaign groups that have argued for years that fathers deserve a legal right to more equal access after a divorce.
It will also overturn the main finding of an independent official review into family justice by David Norgrove, which reported in November. He concluded that it would be too onerous for judges to ensure greater equality of access.
Ministers are bracing themselves for a backlash from single mothers’ groups that are concerned about the possibility of aggressive fathers intervening in the lives of their children.
The working group, comprising education ministers Tim Loughton and Sarah Teather, and justice minister Jonathan Djanogly, has been asked to come up with proposals on how the law should be changed within two months.
Children are for the first time to be given the legal right to have a proper relationship with both their parents after a divorce, The Telegraph can disclose.
Eight per cent of single parents in Britain are fathers
By Christopher Hope, Telegraph Senior Political Correspondent
02 Feb 2012
Ministers intend to rewrite the law in an attempt to ensure that fathers get improved access to their offspring after a marriage breaks down.
Currently, family courts decide to leave children with their mothers in the vast majority of divorce cases.
Campaigners have long complained that without a legal right to see their children, fathers can be excluded, particularly when a split has been acrimonious. By creating the new right for children, ministers hope that judges ruling on custody disputes will ensure more equal access for both parents.
A ministerial working group will be announced on Monday to decide how the Children’s Act 1989 needs to be amended.
According to the Office for National Statistics, one in three children, equivalent to 3.8 million, lives without their father. Ministers are particularly concerned about boys growing up without a strong male influence.
Eight per cent of single parents in Britain are fathers.
The announcement will give hope to campaign groups that have argued for years that fathers deserve a legal right to more equal access after a divorce.
It will also overturn the main finding of an independent official review into family justice by David Norgrove, which reported in November. He concluded that it would be too onerous for judges to ensure greater equality of access.
Ministers are bracing themselves for a backlash from single mothers’ groups that are concerned about the possibility of aggressive fathers intervening in the lives of their children.
The working group, comprising education ministers Tim Loughton and Sarah Teather, and justice minister Jonathan Djanogly, has been asked to come up with proposals on how the law should be changed within two months.
Thursday, February 02, 2012
Leatherhead Advertiser
ACTIVISTS campaigning for fathers' rights scaled the home of a Government minister in London.
Martin Matthews, of Middlemead Road, Bookham, performed the unplanned stunt while protesting outside Justice Minister Ken Clarke's home in Kennington.
Real Fathers for Justice activists Martin Matthews, left, and Robster scaled the wall of Justice Minister Ken Clarke's house to make their point on his rooftop
A police helicopter and several squad cars attended after Mr Matthews, 44, and fellow campaigner Robster flagged down a van, borrowed a ladder and scaled the front of Mr Clarke's house.
Mr Matthews said: "There was nothing planned which is why I didn't dress up.
"The opportunity presented itself so we got up on the roof and got back down and Mr Plod turned up in a helicopter and then the ground troops turned up, but there was nothing for them to do.
"When they arrived they simply found two guys having a cup of coffee."
Neither of the men was arrested or cautioned for the stunt, which was part of simultaneous protests held in London and at Mr Clarke's constituency offices in Nottingham by The Real Fathers For Justice in memory of former activist Paul Pengram.
Campaigners say Mr Pengram killed himself on January 4 after a court order banned him from contacting his son.
Mr Matthews said: "The idea was to remember Paul and make the Justice Minister sit up and take notice.
Leatherhead Advertiser
Martin Matthews, of Middlemead Road, Bookham, performed the unplanned stunt while protesting outside Justice Minister Ken Clarke's home in Kennington.
Real Fathers for Justice activists Martin Matthews, left, and Robster scaled the wall of Justice Minister Ken Clarke's house to make their point on his rooftop
A police helicopter and several squad cars attended after Mr Matthews, 44, and fellow campaigner Robster flagged down a van, borrowed a ladder and scaled the front of Mr Clarke's house.
Mr Matthews said: "There was nothing planned which is why I didn't dress up.
"The opportunity presented itself so we got up on the roof and got back down and Mr Plod turned up in a helicopter and then the ground troops turned up, but there was nothing for them to do.
"When they arrived they simply found two guys having a cup of coffee."
Neither of the men was arrested or cautioned for the stunt, which was part of simultaneous protests held in London and at Mr Clarke's constituency offices in Nottingham by The Real Fathers For Justice in memory of former activist Paul Pengram.
Campaigners say Mr Pengram killed himself on January 4 after a court order banned him from contacting his son.
Mr Matthews said: "The idea was to remember Paul and make the Justice Minister sit up and take notice.
31 January 2012: Superhero dad in protest against "unfair" family laws
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Gloucestershire Echo
A REAL Fathers For Justice campaigner from Cheltenham was among a group of men who staged a protest at the homes of Justice Secretary Ken Clarke.
Around 25 fathers, dressed in superhero costumes, converged on Mr Clarke's London and Nottingham properties to voice their anger at what they claim are unfair parenting laws.
Adrian Phelps, from St Paul's, has won the right to see his two children, aged five and seven, following a five-year battle.
The 25-year-old was among campaigners with the Real Fathers For Justice as they made their stand on Saturday.
Mr Phelps, who wore a Wolverine costume, said: "The protest was a big success. We went to Ken Clarke's Nottingham home but sent some people down to London as well.
"It was a peaceful protest and the police were present. But when they went on their coffee break the chance arose to climb up on to the roofs, which some of our members did.
"It's our way of making sure Ken Clarke sits up and take notice. The law has been weighted against fathers for too long."
Real Fathers For Justice campaigners are known for dressing up as superheroes while taking part in high-profile protests.
Members of the lobbying group claim they have been let down by the recent family law review, which falls under Mr Clarke's remit.
Gloucestershire Echo
Around 25 fathers, dressed in superhero costumes, converged on Mr Clarke's London and Nottingham properties to voice their anger at what they claim are unfair parenting laws.
Adrian Phelps, from St Paul's, has won the right to see his two children, aged five and seven, following a five-year battle.
The 25-year-old was among campaigners with the Real Fathers For Justice as they made their stand on Saturday.
Mr Phelps, who wore a Wolverine costume, said: "The protest was a big success. We went to Ken Clarke's Nottingham home but sent some people down to London as well.
"It was a peaceful protest and the police were present. But when they went on their coffee break the chance arose to climb up on to the roofs, which some of our members did.
"It's our way of making sure Ken Clarke sits up and take notice. The law has been weighted against fathers for too long."
Real Fathers For Justice campaigners are known for dressing up as superheroes while taking part in high-profile protests.
Members of the lobbying group claim they have been let down by the recent family law review, which falls under Mr Clarke's remit.
29 January 2012: Rffj make a monkey out of Ken
The aim was to bring fat boy Ken into the real world, his outdated family justice system is well past it's sell by date, we have dads taking their own lives because of the injustice, look Ken - you have been failing families since the Conservative introduced the Children act in 1989 and the CSA in 1993.
Time to stop the spin, and to act on changing this grotesque and corrupt family court industry that is stripping children of their fathers, whilst lining the pockets of those who ply their trade within it's secretive walls.
Once up, they were soon joined by an increased police presence including a helicopter, however no arrests were made, our guys ended the peaceful protest after observing the minute silence planned for Paul Pegram.
Earlier at around 9am action commenced when serial climbers, Roger Crawford and Jem Pogue, unfurled banners on the roof of Ken Clarke's Conservative constituency office in Nottingham.
More images below
29 January 2012: Rffj hold a minute silence for Paul Pegram
In tribute to Paul Pegram - RIP a loving father,
28 January 2012: Bringing Justice Secretary Ken Clarke into the real world.
The purpose is to bring Ken Clarke into the real world, and decontaminate his ‘Victorian dad’ style of thinking.
Ahead of the demonstration, news filtered in to protesters about the passing of Paul Pegram, a loving father who had recently taken his own life after a judge had permanently excluded him from contact with his 7 year old son.
“The system failed in their duty of care to Paul and his son, he was told he wouldn’t even be allowed to phone his son again, let alone have any direct contact with him”
“We are here today to bring Ken Clarke into the real world, to let him know what actually happens behind the secret doors of a family court, how it ruins lives like Paul Pegram and his son”
The protests continue... (images to follow)
26 January 2012: Tribute to a loving father
Paul leaves behind a brother, a 7 year old son, a loving daughter from his first marriage, and many friends.
Paul sadly took his own life following a family law case which saw him being permanently excluded from his youngest son's life, he was not even awarded supervised contact.
His family and friends believe the case rested on the views of a biased cafcass officer.
To mark our respects, on Saturday at noon Real fathers for justice members and supporters will be holding a minute silence during the protest at Ken Clarke's house in Nottingham.
Paul's close friend Teresa said "It would make us so very proud to have a minutes silence held for him"
"We have made the decision to take action, as we all feel he was treated badly through the court case, although as I am sure you must know there are always 2 sides, but to not even be allowed to speak to your own son on the phone, or be allowed any form of contact in a supervised centre is beyond us all"
26 January 2012: Banned from seeing the grandchild I love:
Susan hasn't seen her granddaughter for 14 years. Her heartbreaking story will resonate with anyone who's felt the pain of family breakdown
Rffj say: When a child is denied contact to their father, they're also denied to one half of their family.
By Antonia Hoyle
Mail online
Looking out of the kitchen window, Susan Stamper let her mind wander to a time when the apple tree in her garden wasn't bare, but bright with blossom and the promise of spring.
One of her favourite memories flooded into focus. Annabel's chubby fingers scrabbled around a hole in the bark of the tree. 'Nanny, I've found it!' she squealed triumphantly as she pulled out an Easter egg.
The little girl flung her arms around her grandmother's shoulders, her tousled blonde hair tickling Susan's cheek as she buried her face in the curve of Annabel's neck. At three, she possessed the kind of unfettered curiosity peculiar to the very young. As they embraced, Susan's heart filled with hope as she envisaged the possibilities that lay ahead for her beloved granddaughter...
Susan Stamper and her son with his daughter in 1995. Since her Andrew separated from his partner Katie in July 1998, Susan has been denied all contact with the child
Susan Stamper and her son with his daughter in 1995. Since her Andrew separated from his partner Katie in July 1998, Susan has been denied all contact with the child
Then the memory faded as the joy it evoked turned once again to despair. Fourteen years had passed since that Easter Egg Hunt. Fourteen years in which Susan has been relegated to a footnote in Annabel's life. Since her son Andrew separated from his partner Katie in July 1998, Susan has been denied all contact.
Rffj say: When a child is denied contact to their father, they're also denied to one half of their family.
By Antonia Hoyle
Mail online
One of her favourite memories flooded into focus. Annabel's chubby fingers scrabbled around a hole in the bark of the tree. 'Nanny, I've found it!' she squealed triumphantly as she pulled out an Easter egg.
The little girl flung her arms around her grandmother's shoulders, her tousled blonde hair tickling Susan's cheek as she buried her face in the curve of Annabel's neck. At three, she possessed the kind of unfettered curiosity peculiar to the very young. As they embraced, Susan's heart filled with hope as she envisaged the possibilities that lay ahead for her beloved granddaughter...
Susan Stamper and her son with his daughter in 1995. Since her Andrew separated from his partner Katie in July 1998, Susan has been denied all contact with the child
Susan Stamper and her son with his daughter in 1995. Since her Andrew separated from his partner Katie in July 1998, Susan has been denied all contact with the child
Then the memory faded as the joy it evoked turned once again to despair. Fourteen years had passed since that Easter Egg Hunt. Fourteen years in which Susan has been relegated to a footnote in Annabel's life. Since her son Andrew separated from his partner Katie in July 1998, Susan has been denied all contact.
