A Hackney resident organised a protest to raise awareness about fathers’ rights and parental alienation.

Ham & High: A father and daughter attended the protest. Picture: Jone Da CruzA father and daughter attended the protest. Picture: Jone Da Cruz (Image: Jone Da Cruz)

Jone Da Cruz, who represented himself in court to win custody of his son, was joined by other parents and children on August 8, outside Downing Street.

Many who attended shared their stories of being separated from their children, paying hefty fees for lawyers and visitation centres and feeling let down by the legal system.

Jone told the Gazette: “I’m trying to bring awareness. Let’s work with the government and find ways to avoid this from happening - it should be easy to get to see your child.”

ONS data from 2019 revealed lone fathers account for 24 per cent of all lone parents, so the majority of single-parent households are headed by women.

Ham & High: Protesters gathered outside Downing Street rallying against parental alienation and fathers' rights on August 8. Picture: Jone Da CruzProtesters gathered outside Downing Street rallying against parental alienation and fathers' rights on August 8. Picture: Jone Da Cruz (Image: Jone Da Cruz)

While other factors may contribute to this disparity, Jone believes the family court system is in need of reform as he says lawyers have a financial incentive to draw out separation proceedings to the detriment of all those personally involved.

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Shipley MP Philip Davies has campaigned to get parental alienation included in domestic abuse legislation and in July it was included in newly-released draft guidance from the government.

Parental alienation is described as the act of keeping a child away from one of its parents without good reason.

Ham & High: A protester holds a sign which reads: 'The best child maintenance is equal parenting.' Picture: Jone Da CruzA protester holds a sign which reads: 'The best child maintenance is equal parenting.' Picture: Jone Da Cruz (Image: Jone Da Cruz)

Jone intends to continue raising awareness for fathers’ rights and the impact of parental alienation on families across the nation.

A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said: “All decisions in the family courts will be made in the interests of the child. Disputes are resolved as soon as is safely possible.”

The government department stated some parents may be asked to pay a contribution towards visitation centres if they are not state-funded and the government has recently announced a package of “sweeping” reforms so the family courts can better support domestic abuse victims and children.

Follow Jone on twitter @thejreports1 to find out more about his campaign.

Ham & High: Protesters gathered to campaign against parental alienation on August 8 outside Downing Street. Picture: Jone Da CruzProtesters gathered to campaign against parental alienation on August 8 outside Downing Street. Picture: Jone Da Cruz (Image: Jone Da Cruz)

For government advice on parental rights and responsibilities click here

Ham & High: Protesters think too many parents aren't able to see their children after a separation and want to see the government reform the family court system. Picture: Jone Da CruzProtesters think too many parents aren't able to see their children after a separation and want to see the government reform the family court system. Picture: Jone Da Cruz (Image: Jone Da Cruz)

Ham & High: Lone fathers account for 24 per cent of all lone parent households. Picture: Jone Da CruzLone fathers account for 24 per cent of all lone parent households. Picture: Jone Da Cruz (Image: Jone Da Cruz)

Ham & High: The people who came shared their stories of parental alienation. Picture: Jone Da CruzThe people who came shared their stories of parental alienation. Picture: Jone Da Cruz (Image: Jone Da Cruz)