As a victim of family violence, I have been navigating the complex and exhausting system of the Federal Circuit of the Family Court in Australia along side the Magistrates Court of Victoria for three years. This personal experience has revealed a deeply troubling issue: despite claims to the contrary, family violence is not identified early enough or taken seriously enough within these systems. Even when an Intervention Order is in place or when perpetrators are serving sentences for family violence crimes, they continue to be enabled and not held accountable for their actions .

The current process allows perpetrators to commit perjury and further abuse their victims as evidence is not tested until trial. Consent under duress does not constitute informed consent and certainly does not prioritize the best interests of children involved.

Family violence is a serious issue in Australia with one woman murdered every week by her current or former partner (Australian Institute of Criminology). Yet our court systems seem ill-equipped to handle these cases effectively or fairly.

We need urgent reform that ensures victims' safety and rights are prioritised. We must demand that evidence be tested early, perjury be penalized severely, informed consent be truly respected and children's welfare be placed at the forefront.

Join me in calling for these necessary changes within our legal system so that no more victims have to suffer through what I have endured. Please sign this petition today.