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Warring parents: Family Court experts warn of damage to children

Jane Phare
By
Senior journalist, NZ Herald·NZ Herald·
10 mins to read

In an ongoing investigation into the Family Court, Jane Phare looks at the effects on children when they are drawn into adult conflict, and the long-term implications.

West Auckland barrister Judith Surgenor has pretty much seen everything in the 25 years she’s worked in the Family Court as a ‘lawyer-for-child’. She’s seen children coached and manipulated; she’s witnessed them seeing their parents slog it out in court; she’s listened to kids “pouring their hearts out and crying”.

“It’s horrible sometimes.

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