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Parental Child Abuse in Child Custody Matters

This article is connected to the topic Child Custody and Visitation Court Applications. It may be useful to read up on it before proceeding to read further. Otherwise, read on to find out more about parental child abuse and the legal aspects surrounding it. Parental Child Abuse is a common occurrence in our society. This article does not deal with the merits or demerits of parental child abuse. However, it gives light on this aspect in a child custody case.

What are the common forms of child abuse?

Child abuse can take many forms. This includes physical, emotional, sexual or psychological abuse. Each case may be different. However, the common theme, in a child custody situation would be that the child is being detrimentally affected by the parent’s conduct. Therefore, should a parent beat the child, neglect the child, or cause harm to the child, it would be seen as abuse.

What happens in cases of child abuse?

Of course, in extreme cases of abuse, such parent would be refused contact completely. This is especially in the case where the child would be traumatized should he or she have contact with the parent. However, what often happens, is that a parent would be granted supervised contact to his or her child. This is done to benefit both parent and child.

What to do when your child is being abuse by the other parent?

There are various things you can do to protect your child who is being abused. Those include going to the police, obtaining a protection order, or limiting the other parent’s rights with an order of court.

Should you approach the Domestic Violence Court?

As a parent, you may apply to the domestic violence court for a protection order on behalf of your child. This may be the best route to follow.

What about Court Application limiting parental rights?

Should there be a court order in place, affording a parent parental responsibilities and rights, you can apply to vary it. This would be applicable when supervised contact would be in the minor children’s best interests. The court would listen to both sides, and make a decision.

When should you consult with a lawyer?

Seeing that you are dealing with parental rights and responsibilities, it is best to first try to resolve issues with the other parent. If that does not work, then try mediation. Should that still not work, see a lawyer who would advise you on what would be best for you and your child. If need be, a Court application would have to be launched

Sharing is Caring

This and other articles and posts found on this website are written by Adv. Muhammad Abduroaf to assist people with various family law related issues they may have. If you find any of our articles, free resources and posts interesting, or possibly useful to others, please like and share it on Social Media by clicking on the icons below. For more interesting articles and information on Family Law, view our articles and Q&A page. If you have a family law related legal issue and you want someone to answer or reply to it, feel free to post it on our Family Law Blog. Therefore, kindly like and share. Should you require any other legal services and advice, not related to family law, visit Private Legal.  
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Adoption Law in South Africa

The Child Care Act forms the foundation of the Adoption Law and is very much adhered when following through with the adoption process. The ultimate objectives of the Children’s Act is to:
  • Protect the social and emotional well-being of a child.
  • To implement structures within a community that can care and protect the child.
  • To ensure that no child goes through starvation, abuse, exploitation and so forth.
  • To ensure that the public (adults) are not taking advantage/exploiting or inflicting physical harm onto a child.
[caption id="attachment_4511" align="alignleft" width="300"] Call our law offices on: 0211110090
Email us at: [email protected][/caption] For free, expert legal advice on the Children’s Act, read our legal piece on The Law Regarding Children – The Children’s Act 38 of 2005. Feel free to call our law offices on 021 424 3487 for an online appointment for a professional legal consultation today.

Baby adoption process

We often don’t know where to start when it comes to child adoption. These are brief, yet relevant steps you could be looking at when entering into the adoption process:
  1. Establish a mutual ground between you and your spouse: this means making sure that both parties are actively involved in the adoption process and that both parties would like to process with the process.
  2. Social worker or adoption agency: A social worker mandatory to the process even though you may personally know the biological mother of the child. When it comes to a social worker and agency, you need to ensure that you can trust both the agency and social worker. These two factors will play an essential role in the outcome of the adoption process.
  3. Screening process: this can be the most dreadful step.
[caption id="attachment_4512" align="alignleft" width="300"] Call our law offices on: 0211110090
Email us at: [email protected][/caption] You will need:
  • Interview with your social worker
  • Police clearance
  • Medical report
  • Psychological assessment
  • Summary of finances
  • Clearance from National Child Protection Register
  • Clearance from the National Register of Sexual Offenders
  • Assessing of your marriage
  • References
  • Group sessions
  • Social worker will have to visit your home to check for a stable, safe home for the child
  • An overall family assessment
  1. Wait for your child while the social worker determines an ideal candidate that suits the circumstances of the matter.
  2. You will get to meet your child and you will have an idea of your child’s history and have a choice if you would like to proceed.
  3. Complete the legal work: this is where a good, family legal expert comes in to help you through the process of the Children’s Court and other legalities.
Inter-country Definition The term “inter-country” adoption is pretty much self-explanatory and refers to adoption taking place out of the country. For more information on inter-country adoption or overall adoption, click on the following links below: [caption id="attachment_4513" align="alignleft" width="300"] Call our law offices on: 0211110090
Email us at: [email protected][/caption] Are you residing out of Cape Town? No problem. Make use of our national number on 087 701 1124 or simply call our offices on 021 424 3487 for an online appointment for a professional legal consultation.  
Posted on by Telelaw

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