“It was less than a year into fortnightly weekend visits until he punched my son in the head.”  

Now a single mother of two, Alyssa (name changed for safety) says she felt seriously let down by the court system, forcing her to leave her children with a man who had a proven track record of violence and financial abuse.  

“One major aspect of support is for the families after they have gone through the legal battles. Even after I showed countless pieces of evidence proving them, he was abusive, all the court could say was “but he is their dad”” she says.

National Domestic Violence Day was May 7. The conversation around physical and financial abuse has grown, but many victim-survivors say they’re having to face trauma even after legal battles have concluded.

The Centre for Women’s Economic Safety chief executive Rebecca Glenn says while there has been a significant increase in understanding around the idea of coercive control, the onus is still on women to report contract breaches and follow up on child support payments.

“At the moment, victim-survivors are too fearful to ask for child support, as the involvement of the person who used violence means that they put themselves and their children at risk,” she says.

Women’s Legal Service WA Project Manager, Dr Monica Cass believes everyone needs to help create an environment that seeks better justice for women who have experienced any form of domestic violence.

A report by the National Council for Single Mothers and their Children details a national child support debt of over $2 billion.

As a result of imposed poverty, Alyssa felt the only option was to steal clothes, to ensure her children could stay warm in the winter.   

“It got to the point where I was stealing clothes from Kmart because my children were growing out of clothes, or I would have to ask my friends for old clothes in ways that didn’t make it out that we were struggling financially. I knew I would be in trouble if I let anyone believe we weren’t financially stable,” she says.

Experts say there are ways to move forward and hold people accountable.

Dr Cass says ensuring small business or independent contractors are paid in legitimate ways means people who are potentially paying child support cannot leave their finances undeclared.

“Not only do they also need to be paying taxes, ensuring legitimate payment methods means dodging child support payments is impossible,” she says.

Ms Glenn says continuing to call for justice for victim-survivors is vital.

“We have shot away from accountability so as not to impose a safety risk for the victim-survivor and their children. We just have to learn to walk that difficult line. We have to hold people accountable while supporting the safety of the victim survivors,” she says.

States and Territories in Australia are currently in the process of implementing the recommendations from a national inquiry to law, ensuring that as many of the sixty one recommendations backed by all parties become enforceable policy. 

If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault, family or domestic violence, call :

Lifeline: 13 11 14         

Women domestic violence helpline: (08) 9223 1188 or 1800 007 339

1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732                  

Sexual assault resource centre: 1800 199 888