New report: Uncovering private family law: adult characteristics and vulnerabilities (Wales)

A new research report by the Family Justice Data Partnership - a collaboration between the Centre for Child and Family Justice Research and Swansea University - has been published today by the Nuffield Family Justice Observatory (Nuffield FJO).  Led by Dr Linda Cusworth, the research found that men and women involved in private law proceedings in Wales are more likely to have experience of mental health difficulties, substance misuse and self-harm than other adults.  

Using the SAIL Databank (a secure research environment), researchers linked population-level data, routinely collected by Cafcass Cymru, with hospital and GP records, to provide an overview of health vulnerabilities experienced by 18,653 adults involved in private law proceedings.  Rates were compared to those for a group of adults who were similar in terms of gender, age and level of deprivation in the general population in Wales.

The report provides an overview of the enhanced vulnerabilities of adults involved in court proceedings, and has implications for the family justice system, and for health and other services.  It is part of a series for the Nuffield FJO that aims to build a better understanding of the circumstances and needs of those involved in the family courts.

The report is available in English and in Welsh.

A summary is also available in English and Welsh.

For further details, contact Dr Linda Cusworth (l.cusworth@lancaster.ac.uk).