A high‑conflict custody dispute involving three children where the parents made mutual allegations of parental alienation and sexual abuse.
After extensive evidence, including testimony from police, child protection authorities, medical professionals, and an Office of the Children’s Lawyer clinical assist, the court found no deliberate sexual abuse and concluded the allegations were largely influenced by the responding parent.
The court determined that the views of the older children favouring residence with the applicant were independently formed, while the younger child’s views were likely influenced by the responding parent.
Applying the best interests test under the Children’s Law Reform Act, the court awarded the applicant sole custody of all three children.
Access for the responding parent to the older children was to occur according to their wishes, while a structured transitional schedule was ordered for the younger child, with counselling and a future judicial review.