The nature of child abuse in a family context makes such cases difficult to prove. For this very reason, it is imperative that the law develops an approach to cater to the evidentiary difficulties involved in child abuse cases to ensure that children are free from abuse or risk of abuse. ..

In a context of a short-term relationship between the parents, how should custody of a child be assessed and how should the “best interest of a child” be defined and applied in this specific context? For a child’s well being, isn’t it necessary for a child to be able to build relationship to both his/her parents? ..

Parens Patriae means ‘parent of the country’ in Latin, and refers to the common law doctrine by which the Sovereign has an obligation to protect the interests of those unable to protect themselves, such as children and mentally incapacitated adults. For example, the State has a duty to protect children or the mentally ill who are abused or neglected…