THE Family Law Act is failing to protect children from ongoing trauma at the hands of abusive and violent fathers, a new study has found.

The act's aims of protecting children from violence and giving them ''meaningful involvement'' with both parents was being resolved in favour of contact even in cases of severe domestic violence, the study reveals.

Relief ... Heather Osland (left) shares the moment with a supporter, Mary Crooks, executive director of the Victorian Women's Trust. Credit:Jason South

Lesley Laing, senior lecturer in the faculty of education and social work at the University of Sydney, and author of the report, said more thought needed to be given to what formed a ''meaningful relationship'' when a parent had traumatised a child through exposure to domestic violence.

''At the present there is no requirement that a parent who has harmed a child in this way must demonstrate they can offer a safe and meaningful relationship,'' she said.