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The courts' attitudes towards contact in domestic violence cases were in desperate need of change about thirty years ago. The courts' presumed that contact was in the best interest of the child. The only way this presumption could be rebutted was by having a 'cogent' reason, but the courts' took a strict approach on what constituted a 'cogent' reason. This attitude was causing severe damage, as many children were being greatly affected, physically and mentally, …

…contact with the abusive father may not be in the child's best interest, illustrated in the research. The courts' have become warier of simply ordering contact, and now take more of a cautious approach. Mothers' fears are no longer dismissed as 'hostility,' thus restoring many mothers' faith in the courts. In turn this has improved the protection and safety for mothers and children. There has been a great improvement in the courts' attitudes then.