Real Fathers For Justice ramps up campaign to target CSA, and the minister in charge, Work and pensions secretary John Hutton.
Today saw the naming and shaming of 40 fathers by the CSA. It also saw the imprisonment of a father who cares equally for his children as much as the mother yet was expected to still pay CSA.
Certainly an example of visible reporting and clearly on family related issues.
Indeed justice is been seen to be done and havent we always campaigned for open accountable family law?
Well if this “Naming and Shaming” Government is to be believed the opening of the Family Court is not in the best interest of children, and after consulting 200 young people, they have now started another consultation into how best to keep the secret courts secret, but accountable. Yet in its infinite wisdom the naming and shaming of errant fathers seems to be perfectly acceptable to the Government. Perhaps the concerns of the 200 young people and children charities who expressed concerns about child school playground bullying or embarrassment doesnt matter. Perhaps the fact that Micheal Cox who cared for his children 50% of the time being put in jail is in their interest. Perhaps we are missing something.
Real Fathers For Justice dont think so.
In fact we believe the Government is missing something very fundamental indeed. We believe that there are many able and willing fathers desperate to care and support their children, but instead are being marginalised, demonised and ultimately criminalised by the State that cant accept a father as an equal parent.
Mr Cox a practicing Barrister, who it is understood, refused under moral principle; to pay the CSA, has paid the price of 42 days in prison, and placing his entire ability to continue to care equally for his three children in jeopardy. This is a father well known by many in RFFJ and a well liked and trusted individual who has campaigned and helped many fathers fighting against a system that goes out of its way to fight fathers. Hes not unique in making this stand, nor will he be the last.
We dont know the 40 named and shamed fathers listed on the CSA website, but we are calling out for their story. If you know any of these men, please get in touch so we can get the truth exposed. We are not naive and realise that some of these errant fathers are clearly going to be found feckless and at fault, but we cant help but question how many are moral, loving fathers standing their ground against all the odds because their natural parenting role and ability is being stifled and hindered by an intransigent ex-partner and a State ignorant of a fathers ability to support their child in person, deed and practice.
Many fathers are incorrectly and unlawfully labelled absent or non-resident purely on the basis that they dont receive the Child Benefit payment, which today can only be granted to one parent after the birth of the child. The primary benefactor of this payment is the mother in most cases, and this lends itself to opening up much discrimination, bias and labelling of the parents when separation occurs. The parent holding the Child Benefit can claim CSA against the other parent regardless of whether they are caring for their child equally or alternatively.
Real Fathers For Justice is starting a focused campaign against the Government and its agencies who treat fathers as second class parents, treated as not worthy of law reform, which would empower their equal status and equitable ability to parent their children after separation or divorce.
Real Fathers For Justice is calling all fathers being hounded by the CSA to tell us your stories, and we are planning several nationwide “Name and Shame” protests directly aimed at the CSA, and John Hutton.
RFFJ is proud to also support the campaign Child Benefit For Two (www.CB42.org) and asks readers to sign the Downing Street petition calling for reform of the Child Benefit system and policies.
Please contact Real Fathers For Justice to get involved in our campaign of peaceful direct action against the CSA and its attacks on fathers who care so much for their children they are willing to make a stand for their future.
For more stories from RFFJ or for links to RFFJ click:
http://www.honornetwork.com/Real_F4J.html
