AN inspirational campaigner whose two children died in a fire started by their father will hand a 100,000-strong petition into Parliament on the tenth anniversary since the tragedy.
Claire Throssell MBE has campaigned for years to overturn the presumptive contact rule which allows both parents in a separating couple access to their children, regardless of whether one has a history of domestic abuse.
She began her campaign two years after the death of her two children, Jack and Paul, aged nine and 12 respectively, who died in the house fire started by her estranged husband in Penistone on October 22.
Claire hopes she can prevent children from being forced to have contact with a parent if they have a history of domestic violence and believes that children’s voices are not heard during divorce proceedings.
She had pleaded with professionals to help prevent Jack and Paul’s father from having unsupervised contact as she felt their safety was in jeopardy.
Claire told the Chronicle that it has not got any easier ten years on.
She said: “The fact that we’re still having to fight this is just heartbreaking.
“I promised my boys as they died in my arms that no other children would have to die at the hands of an abusive parent.
“I touch their stone where they sleep but I still can’t tell them that.
“I can’t tell them that children are safe.
“The pain doesn’t get any less.
“Walking into a silent flat every day is soul-destroying.
“There are plenty of books that tell you how to raise a child, but none that tell you how to live without them.”
Claire launched a petition as part of the campaign which recently surpassed 100,000 signatures and will be delivered to Downing Street on November 4.
She said: “I want all children to be safe and for their views and opinions to be heard and respected.
“Courts should make decisions based on facts and evidence, not on a presumption that contact with a parent is in the best interests of a child.
“Where a parent is a known domestic abuser, children should not be ordered to have unsupervised contact as this cannot be made safe.
“My sons were killed by their father during court-ordered contact despite my warnings.
“No more children should be put at risk of harm.
“It’s poignant because the petition will be delivered ten years after their deaths.
“We hope that the ministers will finally listen and debate it.”
She has been left overwhelmed with support from people from across the world and the petition is the next step in ensuring that no child dies because of unsafe contact with an abusive parent.
She added: “It’s the community that keep me standing.
“It’s the community who keep me fighting.
“We just want children to be safe.
“To know that people still care ten years later means so much.
“It’s humbling that so many people still care.
“The circle of love that was created when the boys died has never broken.
“That gives me much comfort and strength.”
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A CANDLELIGHT vigil will be held at Barnsley Town Hall on Tuesday to mark the tenth anniversary of the devastating deaths of Jack and Paul which shocked the community.
It will take place at 6pm and all are encouraged to attend.
The vigil is supported by local domestic abuse charity IDAS (Independent Domestic Abuse Services) who support over 10,000 people each year in the community and campaign for family court reforms to ensure the safety of victims and their children.
Sarah Hill, the charity’s chief executive, said: “Jack and Paul’s mum, Claire Throssell, is an inspirational campaigner for the voice of children in family court proceedings.
“We stand alongside her and invite the community to join us in person, or online, to show solidarity with Claire, her boys and the campaign to keep children safe in family court proceedings.
“Together we will shine a light on all the mothers and children who feel voiceless in the family courts.”
Women’s Aid is also supporting the vigil.
They launched the ‘Child First’ campaign in 2016, calling on the government and family courts to ensure there are no further avoidable child deaths because of unsafe child contact with an abusive parent.
Chief executive Farah Nazeer added: “Women’s Aid stands in solidarity with Claire as the community comes together to commemorate ten years since the tragic killings of Jack and Paul.
“Her work has already had a significant impact in the family courts for women and children, but there is so much more still to do, and Claire’s commitment and resolve continues.
“I speak on behalf of everyone at Women’s Aid when I say that we are in awe of Claire’s tireless campaigning to protect all children from harm and are proud and committed to supporting her in this work.”
