The impact of lockdown and the COVID-19 pandemic on family breakdown and divorce
Petitions for divorce have also increased “significantly” over the past three months, according to the chair of the family law committee, Suzanne Rice.
The BBC has reported that the COVID-19 pandemic has ‘catastrophic’ impact on families.
In an article dated 18/07/2020, the BBC note that for some couples spending months together with children has cemented their relationship. However, for others, “it’s been a perfect storm of financial hardship, lack of work, children not at school and none of the normal support networks, and that’s led to frequent, intense parental conflict”.
The Chief Executive of the Northern Ireland counselling charity Relate also said that conflict between parents was already leading to “huge distress and mental illness” among children.