Court rules girl, 5, retains father’s surname

A High Court judge ruled that a five-year-old girl must retain her father’s surname, despite him having committed severe domestic abuse, including rape, against her mother. The judge stated that the surname is crucial for the child’s identity and heritage, a decision criticized by the mother’s barrister as prioritizing the father’s rights over the victim’s. The ruling has sparked outrage over the family court’s treatment of domestic abuse victims. Additionally, a non-molestation order against the father was extended until 2027.

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