I've been through unspeakable hardship. My children and I face severe financial difficulties, despite their father being extremely wealthy. We divorced in 2016. Domestic violence was used against us to undermine my position. The perpetrator has had the freedom to earn $40+ million.  My contributions are ridiculed. Since the birth of our three children, I have been mostly responsible for their care, save from Court Orders granting him weekend access. As our children now have supplemental medical needs, managing my time and resources has become an overwhelmingly taxing challenge, with the basic child support he provides.Despite holding a Master's Degree and possessing the ability to work, I have mounting legal bills right now. Property Orders were giving me no superannuation and keeping me bound to our abuser by him still having a % interest in the final sale of the house, which he Ordered to take place when my oungest turns 18yo. WE've escaped this mouldy home as our health was desintegrating. It forced us to move out and relocate closer to the  kidsprimary school, resulting in unmanageable rent. Reliance on food banks has become our reality.

There are countless women like me across Australia who have obtained IVOs (Intervention Orders), AVOs (Apprehended Violence Orders), or other Safety from Violence Orders against the fathers of their children. Yet, we struggle to find justice and support in the Family Court of Australia (FCFCOA). We call for these women to be given first priority in the FCFCOA, to receive subsidized private family lawyers, and lifetime subsidized therapy for themselves and their children.

Furthermore, it is critical that education, therapy, and training be mandated for perpetrators, irrespective of their incarceration status, to provide them with the tools they need to change their patronising, coercive control behaviors. The current FCFCOA system does not provide the necessary resources to ensure a safe and supportive environment for survivors and their children. At the core, State produced IVO's seem to have little to no effect on the parenting and property arrangements a Judge, with his 'discretionary' position, ends up making orders for.I know countelss women who have giving up fighting in the Court system due to costs and the repeated belittleing of their mothering, capacity to love and be present for their gorgeous children, and the emotional toll the Court conveyor's belt has had on them.

Every woman who has taken the courageous step of obtaining legal protection should be met with a system that supports her and her children unequivocally. The emotional, financial, and social toll on affected families is immense and entirely preventable with adequate support structures.

I urge you to support this call for change to prioritize and protect survivors of violence and provide necessary reform in the FCFCOA. With your signature, we can make a difference and advocate for a future where justice and safety for survivors and their children become a priority in the legal system.