The Family Court in Sydney has ruled a 10-year-old girl must see he dying father within 28 days. The girl has said publicly that she wants her father - who she hasn't seen since 2003 - to die. He is terminally ill with cancer.

In the case, the judge did comment on the mother, saying she has "an intense hatred" of the father.

An expert told the court that if the father dies without the child being able to say goodbye, the child will come to regret this later in life.

Psychologist Jo Lamble says this is a dangerous situation. The court wants reconciliation, but a meeting could cause more problems for the girl. Can a 10-year-old live with bad decisions she makes at this age? Jo says there could be an element of brainwashing by the mother, who has started a new family, but this is a common problem.

If the father wants reconciliation, Jo says he needs to make a huge effort. He should be writing letters so in the future, if the girl has regrets, she will still have those memories of him.


What do you think? Should the girl be forced to see her father?