When you attend court as a survivor of domestic abuse – whether it is to try to secure a conviction against your abuser in the criminal courts or protect your children’s best interests in the family courts – you expect to be kept safe and be treated fairly.

It is a basic human right. Yet this is not happening.

A new report by Women's Aid, where I am Chief Executive, has uncovered a lack of protection within the family courts for survivors of domestic abuse - one which is allowing their abusive ex-partners to continue the abuse.

A quarter of the 72 survivors we surveyed, reported that they had been cross-examined by their abusive ex-partner during court hearings; while three in five said there were no special measures – for example, separate waiting rooms, different entry and exit times, screen or video link – in place. As a result, these women have been assaulted by their abusers in court waiting rooms, others have been stalked after leaving court.

One survivor reported that her abuser was able to cross-examine her for three hours; when he proceeded to question her about her sexual history the judge finally stepped in – but only after half an hour. She told us: "It was horrible, it was the worst thing I’ve ever had to do in my life. The cross-examination was just disgusting. The questions were about my sex life, previous boyfriends and who was going in my house. It was ridiculous".