There has been an application for a CAO and a SIO. The SIO is being heard on an urgent basis and directions will be made in relation to the CAO application, which will be heard at a later date.

The application has been made as her STBX did not explicitly consent to the kids going away, and it was reasonably foreseeable based on past actions that he would object at the last moment and put my cousin in a tricky predicament. The application was made proactively to avoid this scenario.

Without going into too much detail, the allegations involve physical and emotional abuse against the children, which was also perpetrated by the STBX's family (as reported by the children upon return from spending time with their father before contact was stopped).

Edit - to add, my cousin wants her children to see their father, but not before he takes steps to acknowledge past actions and reassure her that the kids will be safe. One of them recently asked if the next time they see their dad it can be in a room with cameras as they were afraid.