Some of you will know that ITV Tonight did a programme this week about grandparents and grandchildren. https://www.itv.com/hub/tonight/1a2803a9358
The response has been huge and I am working my way through replying to everyone who has contacted us.
I wrote a few weeks ago about the restrictions that were put on me as to what I couldn’t say, I think it is just one of the reasons that the full truth is not out there, because someone somewhere is terrified in getting hauled over the coals or worse.
It is very difficult when asked to talk about how and why I set BGSG up, when not allowed to actually say I was an estranged grandparent!
Awkward!
My fear was, that we would end up with a sterile conversation.
It is hard to have a proper discussion when you are acutely aware of the list of things you not able to speak about.
This is why the general public have no idea what it really means to be denied contact with a child or grandchild, the real honest human story can’t be told for ‘legal reasons.’
I totally understand that production teams and lawyers might be twitchy when doing something live, but if its recorded isn’t that what editing is for?
We have a very serious problem of millions of children facing in my view emotional abuse, because they are being denied that loving, caring relationship of a parent or grandparent.
In public law we have safeguarding rules to help and support children who are facing harm, As soon as it is to do with ‘contact’ it becomes private law, and those safeguarding rules are not in place.
Just another reason why the entire family justice system is not fit for purpose, and needs to be reimagined, putting children at the forefront of everything.
Children just want to be part of a healthy happy family, it is not much to ask for.
I hope that those who are going through this living bereavement now know that they are not alone and that there is help and support out there, don’t suffer in silence, get in touch.
