1) I have no knowledge of the Rory Gallagher or his family life but some dangerous narratives are emerging around domestic violence, the role of social work, the police and the courts which should be challenged.
2) I was an Emergency Dept social worker for many years. I routinely worked with women who experienced brutal levels of violence. Many had addiction issues which developed as a coping strategy to survive the relentless emotional and physical abuse.
3) Mothers feared leaving their relationship as the perpetrator told them they would lose their kids. Their fears were valid. I provided medical evidence of assault in many cases & children were still placed with the perpetrator at the point of separation.
4) It was essentially a trade-off led by social workers with limited education in coercive control and the impact on kids. Kids were essentially deemed safer with father who abused their mother than with their mother who had addiction.
@Sineadmcgar I'd worry that if you left and the abuser was allowed to see the kids they might abuse the kids to punish you for leaving, how can you protect them if you're not there