Exploring The Pathologisation of Women and Children in the Courtroom

Introduction


You are invited to take part in this call for evidence.

The International Institute for Trauma & Abuse Studies (IITAS) is undertaking a national call for evidence and participants to examine how women and children are pathologised within family and criminal court proceedings, and how psychiatric language and mental health histories are used to undermine their credibility. This study will focus on cases where diagnoses, psychological assessments, allegations of mental instability, or historic mental health records were introduced following disclosures of abuse, violence, stalking, or harm.

The research aims to document the routine use of psychiatric framing to portray women and children as unreliable, dishonest, delusional or psychologically unfit, particularly in cases involving domestic abuse, sexual violence, child protection or contested family proceedings. Using survivor testimony and case-based evidence, the study will analyse how diagnostic labels, expert reports, and institutional narratives are deployed to shift focus away from alleged perpetrators and onto the perceived pathology of victims.

Findings will be used to inform legal reform, government legislation, trauma-informed legal practice, professional guidance and training, with the aim of challenging misogynistic, pathologising practices and strengthening trauma-informed, evidence-based approaches to credibility and safeguarding in the courts.


Who can take part?

You can take part if:

• You have engaged in any type of family court proceedings, criminal court proceedings, or private law proceedings
• You are a woman

Participants must be aged 18 or over.


What does participation involve?

• Completing an anonymous online questionnaire
• The survey will ask about your experiences of disclosure, professional responses, and any interventions you experienced
• Some questions may be sensitive or distressing
• You may skip any question you do not wish to answer
• You can stop the survey at any time by closing your browser

The survey is expected to take approximately 15–25 minutes to complete.


Potential risks and support

This study asks about experiences of abuse and institutional responses, which some participants may find upsetting.
There are no risks of identification, as you will not be asked any identifying details such as your name, email address, phone number or any other personal details which could identify you.

You are encouraged to:

• take breaks
• skip questions
• stop at any time

If you feel distressed, you may wish to contact a support service such as:

Samaritans (UK & ROI): 116 123
National Domestic Abuse Helpline (UK): 0808 2000 247
Rape Crisis England & Wales: 0808 500 2222
(If you are outside the UK, please consider contacting a local support service in your country.)


Confidentiality and data use

• Your responses are anonymous - you will not be asked for your name or identifying details
• Please avoid including identifiable information in free-text responses
• Data will be stored securely and handled in accordance with data protection regulations
• Findings may be published in reports, academic outputs, and policy briefings, but no individual will be identifiable

Voluntary participation

Taking part is entirely voluntary.
You are free to withdraw at any time by exiting the survey before s

Contact Details

This study is being conducted by the International Institute of Trauma, Abuse, and Society (IITAS).
IITAS is an independent research, development, and knowledge-exchange institute dedicated to understanding trauma, abuse, and harm without pathologising those who experience it.

We bridge rigorous research with real-world practice across policing, health, law, social care, education, governance, and public policy.

Our work challenges dominant diagnostic-led and individualised models of suffering, centring instead on social context, power, violence, systemic oppression, and accountability. IITAS exists to support professionals, institutions and governments to respond to trauma in ways that are evidence-based, ethical, and grounded in the lived realities of victims and survivors.

The lead researcher for this study is Dr Jessica Taylor - for queries or feedback, please email: J.Taylor@iitas.institute

Ethical framework

This study is conducted, shared, analysed and reported in line with the British Psychological Society Code of Research Ethics.