Family court

No one should have to be cross-examined by their abuser

WIN! The Government finally passed a hugely important reform that will protect victim-survivors in Family Court. This campaign came about because of the incredible bravery and advocacy of Eleanor, a survivor of family violence who asked Fair Agenda members to stand with her and the Women’s Legal Services Australia to build pressure on the Government to update these laws. Thank you to all the Fair Agenda members that were part of the campaign supporting this important reform!

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Right now there are no legal protections in place to stop abusive ex-partners from cross-examining those they have abused in family courts.1 As Eleanor, the survivor leading the call to change this horrifying system explains, this cruel gap needs to be addressed:

"The day I stood on the stand and was forced to answer the questions of a man who had sexually assaulted and abused me for over a decade were a massive slap in the face. And that horrific experience was a major obstacle in my recovery from the trauma of my abuse. No person should have to be cross-examined by the person who sexually assaulted and beat them.” 

Eleanor's local MP has just raised this issue in federal parliament - now Eleanor is asking for your help to build enough community pressure to push Attorney-General George Brandis to address this cruel system. Can you sign the petition and stand with Eleanor?

If you or someone you know is experiencing family violence or sexual assault, you can call 1800 RESPECT on 1800 737 732 for 24/7 support. If you are in immediate danger call 000.

Click here for more information

Under Family Court rules, people without legal representation can currently cross-examine their former partner.2

State and territory courts already have rules in place to make sure this can't happen, but the federally governed family court hasn't yet caught up. Last December the Productivity Commission recommended the law be changed – but the Attorney-General still hasn't responded to the recommendation.3

-References-

1, 2, 3. Victorian MP pushing to end Family Court cross-examinations by abusive ex-partners, ABC News, 19 October 2015.

5,441 SIGNATURES SO FAR

To Attorney-General, Senator the Hon George Brandis QC,

We call on you to urgently introduce a law to prevent abusers from cross-examining their victims in family court. 

Signed,

* required fields

Latest activity

annie , 2606  /  signed 2015-10-25 03:09:49 +1100
"One of my dearest friends suffered similarly. Her experience profoundly damaged not only her, but all 3 children. Now in her 70s the trauma constantly haunts her and the children suffer to this day. This kind of experience can most certainly ruin people’s whole life and is not readily resolved in counselling – the damage is too fundamental. All victims of family violence need utmost support in every way if they are to achieve any hope of healing to any degree. Confrontations in Court MUST BE AVOIDED FORTHWITH. They simply give the perpetrator further power to wreak even more damage.

All the best,
Annie"
Amanda , 5043  /  signed 2015-10-25 02:48:50 +1100
"I am signing this because it is unfair, there should be legal protections in place to help ex partners, it is unfair that they get all the abuse and hurt but the partner gets away with it.. We need to stand up for other Generations and show them that it is unacceptable."
Pam , 2280  /  signed 2015-10-25 02:11:24 +1100
"I was a victim of domestic abuse."
Elisheva , 2031  /  signed 2015-10-25 01:25:26 +1100
Lucy , 2042  /  signed 2015-10-25 01:20:57 +1100
Georgia , 3020  /  signed 2015-10-25 00:50:09 +1100
"This is important as victims should be protected within the legal system from having to be cross examined by the very perpetrators of the crimes which have brought them before the courts. Women cannot receive a fair trial having to endure further trauma & abuse through questioning by their perpetrators who hthey have already suffered often physical, sexual and psychogical abuse from – this does not ensure a fair and equitable trial for women victims who do not feel safe & are not safe and are not safe while thi"
Justin , 2289  /  signed 2015-10-25 00:46:39 +1100
"I feel that crimes against women should be stopped at all levels in any form."
Megan , 2203  /  signed 2015-10-25 00:27:01 +1100
John , 2753  /  signed 2015-10-25 00:02:30 +1100
Helen , 7213  /  signed 2015-10-24 23:35:12 +1100
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