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Protective Parent Testimony — Beyond Conflict

Belgium & Netherlands · Family Court Accountability Campaign

Shadow report for the United Nations Committee Against Torture (CAT) and Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC)

This form collects survivor testimonies for a formal shadow report to the United Nations concerning human rights violations within the Belgian and Dutch family court systems.


A clear and recurring pattern has emerged across hundreds of cases:

—  A child or parent discloses domestic or child abuse

—  The alleged perpetrator responds with counter-allegations, often using claims such as "parental alienation"

—  The court's focus shifts away from the abuse and onto the protective parent

—  Children are placed at risk, and survivors are silenced or penalised


When this pattern repeats across cases, it becomes a systemic failure — not an individual one. These practices cause serious psychological harm and raise significant concerns under international human rights law.

Your privacy is protected / Jouw privacy is beschermd / Votre vie privée est protégée

You may remain completely anonymous. Use a first name, a pseudonym, or nothing at all. All responses are handled confidentially. No identifying information will be shared publicly without your explicit written consent. An email is requested only so you can ask for your testimony to be deleted at any time.

Methodology: Each testimony is structured around themes recognized in United Nations Committee Against Torture reporting. Where possible, and only with the witness's consent, testimonies are privately cross-referenced with supporting documentation (court rulings, police reports, professional correspondence). The shadow report will distinguish corroborated testimonies from self-reported testimonies.

SECTION 1 · Consent and contact

1. In which country did your family court case take place?

1. In which country did your family court case take place?

2. Do you consent to your anonymised testimony being used in a formal UN report?

2. Do you consent to your anonymised testimony being used in a formal UN report?

3.  Do you consent to being contacted for follow-up? (Optional)

This could include requesting deletion of your testimony, sharing additional support resources, or — only if you choose — sharing documents that support your testimony (e.g. a court ruling, police report, or email from your lawyer).
3.  Do you consent to being contacted for follow-up? (Optional)

If yes, enter a secure contact method below

Email address (used only for the purposes you selected above — never published, never linked to your testimony publicly):

4. Internal use only — Do you have any of the following documents you might be willing to share privately if asked?

(This will not be published and remains entirely voluntary)
4. Internal use only — Do you have any of the following documents you might be willing to share privately if asked?

5.  Name or pseudonym:

6.  Email address (for GDPR — so you can request deletion): 

7.What nationality or country of origin are you

7.What nationality or country of origin are you

8. Do you feel your nationality or migration status affected how the court treated you?

8. Do you feel your nationality or migration status affected how the court treated you?

9.  What month/year did you first enter family court?*

10.  Age of your child(ren) when you first entered family court: 

11.  Age of your child(ren) now: 

SECTION 2 · Nature of abuse

1.  Which form of abuse is most prevalent in your case? 

1.  Which form of abuse is most prevalent in your case? 

2.  Details of the abuse experienced by your child(ren) 

3.  Events that led you to leave or take protective action 

SECTION 3 · Thematic testimony

Each theme reflects a pattern recognised in UN torture reports. Include key facts only. You do not need to write perfectly — just truthfully and clearly. Maximum 300 words per theme.

Theme 1 — Retaliation or minimisation after reporting abuse

What abuse did you report? How did authorities respond? Did you face punishment for speaking out?

Include dates where possible, agencies involved (court, police, Jeugdhulp/Aide à la Jeunesse, child protection services, mediators, etc.), and reactions from judges or social workers.

Theme 2 — Children handed to abusers

What happened to your child after you reported abuse? Were they placed with the alleged abuser?

Was evidence ignored? Include any social worker or judge decisions involved.

Theme 3 — Use of "parental alienation" or parent-blaming

Were you accused of alienation, lying, or harming your child by trying to protect them?

Include whether you were labelled as "uncooperative", "hysterical", "mentally unstable", or falsely accused.

Theme 4 — Gag orders, silencing, and coercion

Were you ordered not to speak publicly? Were you threatened with consequences for speaking out?

Mention any court orders, family court restrictions, threats of fines, custody loss, or fear of retaliation

Theme 5 — Lasting harm to your child

How has this affected your child(ren) emotionally, physically, and mentally?

You may include depression, PTSD, suicidal ideation, self-harm, impact on school, relationships, etc.

Theme 6 — Lasting harm to you

How has this affected you emotionally, physically, financially, and mentally?

You may include PTSD, depression, suicidal ideation, financial loss, housing instability, career impact, etc.

Theme 7 — International situation / Hague Convention (optional)

Was your child moved to or kept in a country against your wishes, or were you separated from your child due to an international court order?

You may include:

Whether the Hague Convention was used in your case Whether your child was returned to a country where you or your child felt unsafe Whether your reports of abuse were ignored in international proceedings How this affected you and your child

SECTION 4 · Your voice (optional)

This space is for you. Say anything that has not fit neatly into the earlier questions. There is no right way to answer. Your words will help show the human cost behind these practices.

Can your testimony be used anonymously for awareness purposes, including on social media, podcasts, reports, or publications?

Can your testimony be used anonymously for awareness purposes, including on social media, podcasts, reports, or publications?
Thank you for your courage in contributing to this report. Every testimony matters.