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

Jenny , 3136  /  signed 2015-10-24 07:07:11 +1100
Jane , 3113  /  signed 2015-10-24 07:00:39 +1100
Lydia , 55401  /  signed 2015-10-24 03:05:52 +1100
Diana , 2300  /  signed 2015-10-24 02:52:19 +1100
"I volunteered at a Women’s Health Centre from 1978 to ~1985. I dealt with women trying to escape violent partners and victims of rape. Years later ~2004 I was a Lifeline telephone counsellor. I have had friends and known quite a number of survivors of domestic abuse, even now. I have seen some of them not go to court at all rather than be in same room with their ex -partner or the rapist. I know one woman who lost two different cases, yet she was awarded compensation finally. I was not brave enough myself to even talk about my own experience of childhood abuse and being raped as a 9 year old and gang raped at 17 for many years, and it was incredibly disturbing to me even with a trusted counsellor, so some bits were left for years later. So I am very disappointed that these issues remain to be dealt with by law. That the women brave enough to go to court to re-live and describe the incident/s in public is tough enough without having perpetrator cross examine them. We will never get the REAL statistics or come anywhere near reducing violence against women, until a much more humane system is in place."
Helen , 3803  /  signed 2015-10-24 02:30:57 +1100
Nicole , 85008  /  signed 2015-10-24 02:03:39 +1100
"Because my abuser told me if I left he was going to drag out the diverge process and make it as hard as he possibly could on me. And the AZ legal system let him do it. He was also allowed to cross examine me on the stand."
Tamara , 4503  /  signed 2015-10-24 01:48:06 +1100
Greg , 4019  /  signed 2015-10-24 01:33:11 +1100
Melissa , 4054  /  signed 2015-10-24 00:19:27 +1100
"I am a female, 2nd year law student and I think this is absolutely disgusting"
Isabella , 5112  /  signed 2015-10-24 00:03:52 +1100
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