- P
Three weeks ago, my dear friends Laura, her husband Chris, and her children, 10-year old Mitchell, and 6 ½ year old Ruby received the worst news of their lives. Mitchell and Ruby’s father was awarded full and complete custody – with the children not being allowed any contact with Laura & Chris, or their families. Up to then the children have lived with Laura and Chris, since Ruby was just a baby, only having weekend time with the father.
The reason? Laura dared to speak up and fight to give her kids a voice regarding the serious family violence they have experienced, when NOT in her care. Laura is being punished by the courts because she consistently persisted with seeking assistance from police and DCJ (Dep Communities & Justice – formerly DOCS), like a “mumma bear”, to protect her children from the emotional and physical violence that have been experiencing for the last 6 years. AVO’s have been issued for her and her children’s protection, but it appears that orders from the Family Courts can override them. It is a most complex matter and Laura readily admits she has made mistakes with how she has handled things, the biggest being self-represented at times due to the overwhelming cost of court and lawyers fees, however even with the evidence from police, family, therapist, counsellors, school reports, and supporting affidavits, the judge has preferred the father’s story and deemed Laura’s testimony not believable. The father has had constant legal representation, and at times was legally aided, even though his earnings were well about that of the threshold for legal aid, and double the earnings of the mother. Laura and Chris have been battling this for the last 6 years and at one stage took their case to their local member and continued to push the matter in the family court, but appear to be punished for doing so.
But it’s the kids that really hurt in these matters. However Laura & Chris are determined not to give up and need your help, as the toll on them financially and emotionally is enormous.
Mitchell & Ruby’s lives have been completely and utterly turned upside down. Prior to the change in custody the children had a happy, full-filing life with Laura and Chris, enjoying a big family home, own bedrooms, and played various sport and other extra –curricular activities, that they loved and excelled at. Mitchell is also on the autism spectrum– and has to see paediatrician and therapists, he is also medicated; which Laura was a dedicated mum in ensuring all appointments were met. Weekends were filled with sports & community activities, and with family and friends. It was also a safe environment – free of any domestic violence. The children now live in cramped small home and report no proper bedding or space, poorly dressed for school etc etc with the ongoing risk of violence. There is zero sport or extra- curricular activities, zero therapy and zero counselling. A change in custody has meant the father now has the power, and control and no longer has to pay child support. The change in custody effectively hands the father a licence to continue with the domestic violence against the children; and in effect goes against many of the clauses International Rights of the Children to which Australia is a signatory. Laura remains a committed member of the school and sports clubs parent committees, knowing one day the truth will come out and the kids can return to those activities, and wants to support those who have supported her and her children.
Laura and Chris don’t want to give up on the kids. However, the funds have been exhausted, after a 6 year battle, with the courts they have re-mortgaged their house, sold valuable assets and even Laura’s parents gave her their superannuation. They can access to some superannuation with the COVID19 early release, but it will not be enough, as they have hired a new lawyer, an accredited family law specialist who believes the case has merit and good chance on appeal. But they need $7.5K ASAP to get the process started; then the whole appeal and any re-trial will end up costing approximately $50K, if not more.
Laura is hoping she can raise more than this so she can donate the money to Bravehearts https://bravehearts.org.au/ who has supported her through some of this nightmare. In addition she wants to develop a self-help kit for those parents are forced to self-represent when they are unable to afford lawyers or don’t qualify for legal aid. She would dearly like to ‘pay it forward’, the help she hopes to receive from you all. Understanding the family court is a mind-field, Laura acknowledges that she has made mistakes along the way, and wants to help others from avoiding those pitfalls. The family court, and child protection service is a system that is broken, and her case is not an isolated one. Laura wants to highlight the issues with the family court and wholly supports a royal commission; and hopes that once this is all over, win or lose, she can assist other mothers and fathers who are facing a similar seemingly impossible battle.
Every dollar will help and we understand things are tight for everyone right now. So, if you can only afford $2, Laura and her family will be overjoyed with gratitude. If you can’t donate, then you can still help by sharing this appeal on to your family and friends.
Thank you from myself for Laura & Chris and all their family and friends.
**** Names have been changed, to protect the family and the children. We are unable to name the father, the court or the judge or give more specific details in a public forum as the matter is still in the courts. *Laura is very happy for people to reach out to her individually, should any one wish to hear more, and validate her story, and keep up to date with any progress. She hopes her story can help many others that are in her situation also. Please click to contact Heidi and she will pass the message on.
The reason? Laura dared to speak up and fight to give her kids a voice regarding the serious family violence they have experienced, when NOT in her care. Laura is being punished by the courts because she consistently persisted with seeking assistance from police and DCJ (Dep Communities & Justice – formerly DOCS), like a “mumma bear”, to protect her children from the emotional and physical violence that have been experiencing for the last 6 years. AVO’s have been issued for her and her children’s protection, but it appears that orders from the Family Courts can override them. It is a most complex matter and Laura readily admits she has made mistakes with how she has handled things, the biggest being self-represented at times due to the overwhelming cost of court and lawyers fees, however even with the evidence from police, family, therapist, counsellors, school reports, and supporting affidavits, the judge has preferred the father’s story and deemed Laura’s testimony not believable. The father has had constant legal representation, and at times was legally aided, even though his earnings were well about that of the threshold for legal aid, and double the earnings of the mother. Laura and Chris have been battling this for the last 6 years and at one stage took their case to their local member and continued to push the matter in the family court, but appear to be punished for doing so.
But it’s the kids that really hurt in these matters. However Laura & Chris are determined not to give up and need your help, as the toll on them financially and emotionally is enormous.
Mitchell & Ruby’s lives have been completely and utterly turned upside down. Prior to the change in custody the children had a happy, full-filing life with Laura and Chris, enjoying a big family home, own bedrooms, and played various sport and other extra –curricular activities, that they loved and excelled at. Mitchell is also on the autism spectrum– and has to see paediatrician and therapists, he is also medicated; which Laura was a dedicated mum in ensuring all appointments were met. Weekends were filled with sports & community activities, and with family and friends. It was also a safe environment – free of any domestic violence. The children now live in cramped small home and report no proper bedding or space, poorly dressed for school etc etc with the ongoing risk of violence. There is zero sport or extra- curricular activities, zero therapy and zero counselling. A change in custody has meant the father now has the power, and control and no longer has to pay child support. The change in custody effectively hands the father a licence to continue with the domestic violence against the children; and in effect goes against many of the clauses International Rights of the Children to which Australia is a signatory. Laura remains a committed member of the school and sports clubs parent committees, knowing one day the truth will come out and the kids can return to those activities, and wants to support those who have supported her and her children.
Laura and Chris don’t want to give up on the kids. However, the funds have been exhausted, after a 6 year battle, with the courts they have re-mortgaged their house, sold valuable assets and even Laura’s parents gave her their superannuation. They can access to some superannuation with the COVID19 early release, but it will not be enough, as they have hired a new lawyer, an accredited family law specialist who believes the case has merit and good chance on appeal. But they need $7.5K ASAP to get the process started; then the whole appeal and any re-trial will end up costing approximately $50K, if not more.
Laura is hoping she can raise more than this so she can donate the money to Bravehearts https://bravehearts.org.au/ who has supported her through some of this nightmare. In addition she wants to develop a self-help kit for those parents are forced to self-represent when they are unable to afford lawyers or don’t qualify for legal aid. She would dearly like to ‘pay it forward’, the help she hopes to receive from you all. Understanding the family court is a mind-field, Laura acknowledges that she has made mistakes along the way, and wants to help others from avoiding those pitfalls. The family court, and child protection service is a system that is broken, and her case is not an isolated one. Laura wants to highlight the issues with the family court and wholly supports a royal commission; and hopes that once this is all over, win or lose, she can assist other mothers and fathers who are facing a similar seemingly impossible battle.
Every dollar will help and we understand things are tight for everyone right now. So, if you can only afford $2, Laura and her family will be overjoyed with gratitude. If you can’t donate, then you can still help by sharing this appeal on to your family and friends.
Thank you from myself for Laura & Chris and all their family and friends.
**** Names have been changed, to protect the family and the children. We are unable to name the father, the court or the judge or give more specific details in a public forum as the matter is still in the courts. *Laura is very happy for people to reach out to her individually, should any one wish to hear more, and validate her story, and keep up to date with any progress. She hopes her story can help many others that are in her situation also. Please click to contact Heidi and she will pass the message on.
Organizer and beneficiary
Laura Campbell
Beneficiary