If you had the power to change one law, what would it be and why?

There are some odd laws out there. There was a law in Melbourne that required taxi drivers to cart a bail of hay in their boots. It was there because taxi’s used to be horse-drawn carts, but with the introduction of cars, this was no longer required, yet it was only repealed in 1980. That was a long time to wait until refreshing the law to correlate with the current environment of society.

Another law, or more to the point, how the law is dealt with in common law, is domestic violence protections. I feel it is out of touch with the current climate of the care that victims actually require.

Why should someone have to prove what types of protection are needed for them, and why should a judge have the ability to deny someone the requested protections?

Then the biggest question… if someone summons the courage to speak out against the domestic violence they’re facing, how can anyone listen to the denials of the perpetrator and allow them to continue to traumatise and terrorise their chosen victim?

We need to streamline our protections of women and men alike. If they require help, we need to just say “I see your problem, I’m here to help.”

I would give the legislation more simplified and specific language. I would leave little room for justices to interpret in their own way and not provide requested protection. I would give police more powers to protect the victims earlier and I would give police compassion and empathy training to appropriately deal with the traumatised victims, rather than fobbing them off as hysterical or overreacting.

When the statistics state that 1 in 4 women experience domestic violence in Australia from a significant other, when will the legislators say that 25% is far too many to ignore?

There are no photos of me today. I suppose this is triggering enough but I also do not have photos from back in my days as a victim. I spent 10 years with my husband before he passed away and he was a beautiful husband, helping me heal from my own trauma. It scares me to think about new relationships knowing the statistics and the power and control cycle. I can put the power and control wheel in however to educate people about inappropriate behaviour of a partner.

If you experience any of these behaviours at the hand of a significant other, there is help out there in Australia.

You can go online to http://www.askizzy.org.au to find some resources.

You can call 1800 RESPECT (1800737732) for 24/7 advice and support.

You can book a social worker appointment with Centrelink to start getting the ball rolling with supports and payments. They can help you make a plan to leave.

Speak up. Your voice is more powerful than someone would make you believe. For now, I will leave you with this quote:

“If you’re not careful, the newspapers will have you hating the people who are being oppressed, and loving the people who are doing the oppressing.”

Malcolm X

Until tomorrow, KT18Ø.