The Illawarra Women’s Trauma Recovery Centre is supporting a petition, calling for a full independent review of the Family Court and a Royal Commission into the system’s handling of domestic and family abuse cases.
The petition, launched by the Family Court Accountability Network (FCAN), also demands an end to “parental alienation” tactics, coercive reunification, and profit-driven supervision centres, and replacing the outdated Family Law Act 1975 with a new Family Justice & Safety Act.
FCAN says a review of judgments from the Magellan List, a case management pathway for the most vulnerable children, from 2023 to 2025, found two-thirds of child sexual abuse allegations were dismissed or minimised, and 70 per cent of children were placed with their father, often the alleged perpetrator.
Executive Director Sally Stevenson said the Centre’s support comes from what they see every day: women and children being retraumatised, but by the systems meant to protect them.
“Women who’ve survived violence are forced to relive it in court, to defend their truth again and again. They’re questioned, doubted, and too often punished for trying to keep their children safe. It’s heartbreaking, and it’s often re-traumatising.”
The Illawarra Women’s Trauma Recovery Centre was created to support women who’ve experienced domestic, family and sexual violence. Many women are navigating the courts alongside their recovery journey.
There’s a growing body of research backing what the petition is calling out.
Studies from universities including UNSW and the University of Canberra have shown that family court processes can re-traumatise women who’ve already survived violence.
Research has also revealed entrenched gender bias in judicial language and decision-making, with mothers more likely to have their credibility questioned or their abuse claims dismissed.
“By the time many women reach us, they’re emotionally shattered,” Ms Stevenson said.
“They’ve had to fight for years, often with little money, and they are often completely disbelieved by the system.”
The petition calls for sweeping reform to make Australia’s family law system safe, accountable, and trauma-informed
You can sign the petition here.