Maddie's Law update

MADDIE’S LAW + A.N.C.H.O.R. | SUPPORTER UPDATE 💜⚓
I wanted to give everyone who has supported Maddie’s Law + A.N.C.H.O.R. an update on where things currently stand.

Over the past few weeks, this has grown from an idea born from heartbreak into a detailed proposal that is now reaching government, legal and specialist organisations.

We have approached governments and education authorities across Australia, seeking consideration of the gaps that can remain after serious or repeated bullying has harmed a child.

Our work has also been provided to LawRight Pro Bono Connect, which has received our supporting documents and advised that they hope to be in touch soon.

Today we also received a response from Suicide Prevention Australia.

While they do not currently have the capacity to undertake the formal specialist review we requested, they described Maddie’s Law + A.N.C.H.O.R. as an “incredibly comprehensive proposal”, provided us with important research and resources to strengthen the work, and offered to share the proposal with relevant contacts.

We have accepted that offer.

In Tasmania, our supplementary evidence has also been forwarded to the Department for Education, Children and Young People for consideration.

None of this means that Maddie’s Law has been accepted or endorsed.

But it does mean something important:

The conversation is moving.

And we are making sure that as it moves, the proposal is examined properly, challenged where necessary and strengthened by evidence and specialist knowledge.

Why A.N.C.H.O.R. matters
Stopping bullying is only part of the answer.

When a child has already been harmed, simply saying “the bullying has stopped” does not necessarily mean that child has recovered.

Fear can remain.

Anxiety can remain.

School avoidance can remain.

Loss of confidence can remain.

The effects can follow a child onto the school bus, onto their phone, into another school and into everyday life.

That is why A.N.C.H.O.R. focuses on what happens next: safety, recovery, family involvement, coordinated support, appropriate outside services, reintegration, behaviour change, review and meaningful closure.

We want a system where speaking up is not the end of the process.

It is the beginning of support.

There is still a long road ahead, and we will not pretend otherwise.

To every person who has signed, shared, spoken about Maddie, supported our family or simply believed that children deserve better:

Thank you.

Maddie cannot see the change her story is helping to create.

But her name is being carried into rooms she never had the chance to enter.

And we will keep going.

For Maddie Jade.
For every child still trying to find their voice.
For every family asking to be heard.

💜 Maddie’s Law + A.N.C.H.O.R. ⚓
Change Starts Here.