Paternity Fraud: The Overlooked Form of Domestic Abuse By Michael Thompson, Founder of Paternity Fraud UK

In May 2020, my life changed forever. A DNA test confirmed that the child I had lovingly raised was not biologically mine. I had been lied to—deliberately and repeatedly. That lie not only shattered my trust, but it caused lasting emotional damage, financial loss, and a profound sense of betrayal. This experience led me to set up Paternity Fraud UK, the only organisation in the UK dedicated to supporting those affected by this hidden form of abuse.

Paternity fraud isn’t a one-off mistake or a misunderstanding. It’s a sustained deception, often carried out over months or years, that has devastating consequences for the men involved—and sometimes for the children too. Yet despite the harm it causes, the legal system in England and Wales does not treat paternity fraud as a crime in its own right. Even worse, it is rarely recognised for what it is: a form of domestic abuse.

Coercive or Controlling Behaviour

The criminal courts in England and Wales do, however, recognise coercive or controlling behaviour as a serious offence under Section 76 of the Serious Crime Act 2015. This law defines it as a pattern of acts designed to isolate, manipulate, exploit or dominate a partner in an intimate relationship. It includes emotional abuse, psychological harm, financial control and deception.

Paternity fraud often ticks all of those boxes.

It involves a woman knowingly deceiving a man into believing he is the biological father of a child, often in order to extract financial support, secure immigration status, or tie him into an unwanted emotional or legal connection. In many cases, this lie is used to control the man's decisions, trap him in a relationship, or gain access to benefits and resources under false pretences.

When looked at through the lens of coercive control, paternity fraud is not just a betrayal—it’s a calculated abuse of trust and power.

Emotional and Psychological Harm

The Domestic Abuse Act 2021 broadened the definition of abuse to include non-physical harm. Emotional and psychological abuse are now firmly recognised as real and harmful forms of domestic abuse. Being misled about fatherhood causes exactly this type of harm.

The men we support at Paternity Fraud UK often describe experiencing:

Severe anxiety and depression

Identity crises and suicidal thoughts

Long-term trust issues in future relationships

A deep and persistent grief for the child they thought was theirs

This isn’t “just a lie.” It’s a form of emotional cruelty that leaves a lasting scar.

A Legal Grey Area

While paternity fraud may meet the threshold for Fraud by False Representation under the Fraud Act 2006, prosecutions are almost unheard of. Why? Because family relationships tend to be treated differently, even when there's clear evidence of intentional deceit for financial gain.

The result is that victims are left without justice. They are expected to carry the emotional burden, often alongside child maintenance obligations and social stigma, while the person who lied faces no legal consequences.

Why This Must Change

We cannot claim to take domestic abuse seriously while turning a blind eye to a form of it that ruins lives, destroys families, and abuses trust in the most intimate of ways.

At Paternity Fraud UK, we are calling for:

The inclusion of paternity fraud under statutory definitions of coercive and controlling behaviour

Clear legal remedies for victims

Mandatory DNA testing at birth to prevent deception

Greater public awareness of the issue and its emotional impact

This is not about punishing mothers or attacking women. It's about honesty, fairness, and recognising that men can be victims of abuse too—especially when the law fails to protect them.

If we are serious about tackling domestic abuse, then we must stop ignoring this issue. Paternity fraud is not just a private matter. It’s a public injustice. And it’s time the law caught up.

If you've been affected by Paternity Fraud then please contact us at paternityfrauduk@gmail.com to arrange a free and confidential call.