In this episode of Silent Screams, Loud Strength: UNMASKING JUSTICE, Samantha Avril-Andreassen examines why the fact-finding hearing is one of the most important — and most misunderstood — stages in family proceedings.

This masterclass explores how fact-finding hearings determine:

• what becomes legally recognised,
• what becomes institutionally visible,
• what is treated as relevant,
• and what may disappear from safeguarding protection altogether.

The episode examines:

• coercive control,
• domestic abuse evidence,
• Practice Direction 12J,
• Article 6 rights,
• trauma-informed justice,
• participation impairment,
• the “no findings” trap,
• CAFCASS and social work reliance on findings,
• procedural compression,
• evidential continuity,
• and why coercive control cannot always be understood through isolated incidents alone.

This episode argues that what is excluded from findings often disappears from protection — and that family justice must move toward contextual, trauma-informed and structurally integrated safeguarding.

Part of the Silent Screams, Loud Strength: UNMASKING JUSTICE Masterclass Series by Samantha Avril-Andreassen.

🎧 Listen to the Podcasthttps://open.spotify.com/show/34AFA18417UGbebnTGM9Mi

▶️ Watch on YouTubehttps://www.youtube.com/@sammyjoaa

🌐 Read More at SAFECHAIN™ / The Directivehttps://www.safe-chain.org

📖 Pre-Order Unmasking Justicehttps://www.safe-chain.org/pre-order-unmasking-justice

🎭 UNMASKING JUSTICE — Masquerade Gala📍 Lainston House Hotel, Hampshire📅 30 October 2026🎟️ Reserve Tickets:https://www.safe-chain.org/gala-ticket-masquerade-gala-1

Masterclass 7 explores fact-finding hearings, coercive control, PD12J, domestic abuse evidence, Article 6 rights, participation impairment and safeguarding failures in family court.

Fact-Finding HearingFamily CourtFamily ProceedingsCoercive ControlDomestic AbuseDomestic Abuse EvidencePractice Direction 12JPD12JChildren Act 1989Child WelfareSafeguarding ChildrenEmotional HarmPsychological HarmArticle 6 RightsHuman Rights Act 1998Right to a Fair HearingParticipation ImpairmentMeaningful ParticipationTrauma-Informed JusticeTrauma and MemoryEvidence in Family CourtNo Findings TrapProcedural FairnessProcedural AbuseLitigation AbuseEvidential ContinuityDisclosure FailureCAFCASSSocial Work ReportsParental AlienationProtective ParentingFamily Court ReformSAFECHAINThe DirectiveUnmasking JusticeSilent Screams Loud StrengthSamantha Avril-Andreassen