This phrase appeared in the national media this morning, in a quote from Law Society of SA [South Australia] president Richard Mellows. The article is another wrap-up of the research recently presented to the Australian Attorney General. Mellows' claim is disingenuous.
'Proof of violence' in the context of family law in Australia, is hard to collect and present. Unless there is blood on the court room floor, unless a mother has taken children to the Dr. with injuries etc. (and many mothers won't do this because they are threatened with harm if they talk to anyone about the abuse), unless violence took place in public (and abusers tend to avoid abusing in public) in front of witnesses (many abusers put on a show of 'happy families' for witnesses), there is taken to be no 'proof'. If witnesses to family violence are family members that evidence will be given less weight. These things appear to be the case (and the research refers to this problem also) at every level of the family law system, where it collides with claims of abuse.
For the full report click on this link.
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