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http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/real_story/4032189.stmCourts give violent Dads access to childrenViolent fathers are being given access to their children because of the pressure Fathers 4 Justice is putting on the family courts, it is claimed.
Hilary Saunders, from Women's Aid, criticises the campaign group for their intimidatory tactics in BBC One's Real Story.
"I do think they have a considerable effect on court practice," she tells the programme's presenter, Fiona Bruce.
"We feel that the courts are now granting contact more and more frequently in cases where it is not safe to do so."
Death threatThe documentary also features an ex wife of an active Fathers 4 Justice member who says she lives in constant fear of her former husband.
The woman, too scared to be named, said: "He used to come home very drunk and make lots of threats right up to my face, including threats to my pets which resulted in the death of my dog.
"He threatened that he was actually going to kill me.
"There was lots of shoving, pushing over, sometimes smashing of the house, throwing things around.
"The worst thing of all was on many occasions my daughter was actually present and a few times she ran to me, screaming."
The father in question was granted supervised access to his daughter by the courts before, claims his ex wife, she had a chance to tell the courts about the domestic violence.
"It's been absolutely horrendous. It's been quite upsetting and very hard for me and in the beginning it was also very, very hard for my daughter."
Aggressive emailThe man denies any violence and has never been convicted. But the programme reveals that women's and children's charities have complained of intimidation and threats from people claiming to represent Fathers 4 Justice.
Sandra Horley of Refuge, an organisation that helps battered women, says she received an email accusing her of "hate crime" after writing an article about violent fathers and contact arrangements.
"It's very aggressive and I just don't understand why they have taken this stance," she says.
"What we are saying is not so heinous, or reprehensible, we are only saying children should be safe."
"It is all well and good for Fathers 4 Justice to campaign for the rights of fathers, but what about the rights of children?"
A senior police officer also tells Real Story of his fears about the pressure group.
Assistant Chief Constable Jim Gamble of the National Crime Squad says: "They need to consider the vetting in their organisation. Certainly, if I was a member of Fathers 4 Justice, I would be looking at the important message that we are trying to deliver."
Matt O'Connor, the founder of Fathers 4 Justice, tells Fiona Bruce that he will not tolerate this kind of intimidation.
"We condemn all types of violence and we'd like to see more intelligent debate about family violence.
Membership criteria"We can't undo what has happened to people in the past. We can't say all we are talking about is good, loving parents.
"What I am saying is that the vast majority of people campaigning within this organisation are good, loving parents.
"We are a cross-section of society and if you slice through the UK you are going to find teachers, barristers, doctors, good people, bad people."
Mr O'Connor added that Fathers 4 Justice operated very tough conditions of membership and that he would throw out anyone bringing the organisation into disrepute.
