A day to be believed
By Linda Kaucher
ADELAIDE — Giving domestic violence victims a chance to talk and be believed was the main purpose of a meeting called by the Women's Electoral Lobby (WEL) on September 4.
A hundred women came together to share their stories, to have them reflected back to them by Playback Theatre and to combine their ideas on this largely hidden but very widespread problem. Major problems spoken of were accessing support, dealing with legal institutions and problems around child access, and the welfare of children caught up in violent situations.
Though some people confessed to some anxiety at being there, relief and hopefulness played a more prominent part as women bravely told their stories, and were listened to and believed.
The significance of it also being Fathers' Day was not lost, and with the help of Playback Theatre, who listen to what people say and then express it back in a dream form, feelings about fathers were explored.
Women who had gotten out of violent homes, often by going to a shelter, and had picked up the pieces and made new beginnings, were an encouragement to those who were still extricating themselves from violent domestic situations. However people wished that there was more help available in the early stages of problems in partnerships, to avoid relationship breakdown.
Stories of psychiatric illness caused by domestic violence situations, and of subsequent abuse by police and institutions, emerged, as well as the physiological effects some children will suffer for the rest of their lives as a result of the physical abuse of pregnant women.
Women criticised law firms that stretched out settlement and access cases, as legal costs mounted.
Towards the end of the day, the participants gave their ideas for changes, which WEL will consider and try to lobby for.