Joanne & Will

Time to admit that I need some help.

This is me and my son, Will. We live together.

At the age of 3 ½ Will and I left our family home just after midnight, with police escort, after years of ongoing domestic abuse. Our lives were at risk, and I hoped these would be our first steps towards safety. Since then, Will spent the next 6 ½ years of his life in court proceedings. He has been interviewed many times and has bravely spoken up about how he wishes to live. I am so proud of how brave he is.

We are at the mercy of the family courts despite the risks Will has been exposed to: aged 7 Will was left in a busy motorway car park alone and told to navigate through rows of moving traffic to find me after a contact weekend, Will was also forced to write a letter to the courts and tell them he is a liar, Will has had his school place terminated by his father without our knowledge and consent, he has been withheld after contact on 2 occasions this year both times involving the Police, and in August of this year he was left at an airport by his paternal grandparents and put on a flight to Turkey, without his father. I did not even know about this until Will returned.

Domestic Abuse does not stop. Ever. Despite removing Will and I from our home; the emotional, psychological, physical, and financial abuse continues. The threats never stop. The physical abuse continued. The financial abuse continues.

I do not wish to think about how life would be for us if we had stayed. We would not have survived this long if it were not for my own parents who have always been there for us every single step of the way. We continue to fight for Wills safety and for his wishes and feelings to be upheld. We have rebuilt our lives. Will knows that he is so very loved. He knows that he is safe. He radiates happiness. He is so proud of his school. And he LOVES….he just loves with all his heart.

But by some nightmare in June a decision was made which ultimately goes against Wills wishes, and my concerns for his safety. As the decision now stands Will no longer gets to spend Mother’s Day with me, he no longer will spend his Birthday evenings with me, and Christmas time now means he will be away from his home for 9 days and only returning home for 1 day. I am not even allowed to contact Will when he is away for a week at a time. And much more unfairness.

For the last 6 ½ years we have exhausted everything to fight for Wills safety and for his feelings to be heard. Of course, Will spends time with his father. But his time at home with his family, his friends and his pets has been reduced so much. I cannot describe what Will said when he realised the decision made.

Emotionally I am broken and overwhelmed with sadness. My heart aches with the injustice. After bravely telling his story Will should not have to be exposed to further risk and emotional harm. No child should have to keep reliving this process.

We have one last chance to possibly amend what has been decided with an appeal in October. But I am on empty, negative empty if there is such a thing. I am the only parent financially supporting Will. His father has evaded child maintenance contributions for almost 2 years.

My parents have given so, so much constantly to ensure Will is safe, and his life is the best it should be. They continue to help hugely with our legal fight.

But I still need to feel that I am doing everything in the world for my son too. So it is with immense shame that I am daring to ask for any help in supporting our legal case. We have just one more chance to fight for Will. For Will. If anybody can spare any support at all, however small, towards our legal costs I will be forever indebted to you. This is not meant as any disrespect to my wonderful parents for their ongoing love, support, funding, and tolerance, but it is as Wills Mummy, I am asking if anybody can help me, please.

Always with kindness

Joanne