In family courts around the world, the very system designed to protect families has become the ultimate weapon in the hands of abusive fathers. After escaping domestic abuse, countless mothers discover that leaving is only the beginning. Through relentless litigation, false allegations, and the weaponisation of “parental alienation” theory, perpetrators continue their coercive control—often with the full backing of judges, social workers, and “experts” who prioritise contact over safety. Drawing on her own nine-year battle in the secretive family courts, frontline casework with thousands of mothers, and years of international advocacy, Natalie Page exposes the hidden machinery of post-separation abuse. She reveals how presumptions of parental involvement, mother-blaming, institutional denial, and gag orders silence victims while endangering children. From “custody killings” to sanctuary trauma, The System Is The Weapon lays bare the patterns that have destroyed lives—and the reforms desperately needed to turn back the tide. This is not just a book. It is a reckoning that gives voice to the silenced, dismantles dangerous myths, and demands a family justice system that finally puts safety first. For survivors, professionals, policymakers, and anyone who believes the courts should protect—not punish—those fleeing abuse. A fearless activist, Natalie Page is a key media voice (including BBC and Channel 4), she played a pivotal role in repealing the UK’s presumption of parental involvement, and has advised senior politicians, ministers, governments, and the United Nations. Content warning: This book contains detailed discussions of domestic abuse, coercive control, child homicide, institutional betrayal, and trauma. Reader discretion is advised.