“Shhh… ‘Mum’s the Word’”
Announcement posted by eMAGINE Agency 11 May 2016
“My heart hurts everyday as I can not see or speak to my children or even know how they are doing” - Sally. Alienated Mum of 2.
Independent Melbourne filmmaker Karen Hodgkins is giving a voice to mum’s by documenting ten of their heartbreaking stories in a new tell-all book, 'Mum's the Word'. With the support of Independent Senator, John Madigan, a fundraiser will be held on Sunday 15th May (The Bells Hotel, Moray St. South Melbourne , 1-5pm) to bring awareness to this issue and assist with the development of this book, ‘'Mum's the Word'.
Almost on a daily basis we hear of news reports claiming that some parents are taking extreme measures to be heard; kidnapping, overseas child abductions and some parents taking their own children’s lives. Recently we saw the lengths a mother would go too (as seen recently on 60 minutes – Sally Faulkner case).
In Victoria alone, two category one children (dead or almost dead) are reported to the Department of Human Services everyday. (Aust. Minister for Family 2015)
Everyday, in Australia 261 divorce cases are lodged into our Federal Circuit Courts (ABS 2015).
In a recent study it was found that some parents can pay up to $275,000 in court fees to have the right to a relationship with their own children, some cases taking up to ten years to resolve.
Contrary to what many people think, many professional mothers are alienated and silenced as they struggle to maintain any form of a relationship with their children due to bitter divorce battles and a broken family court system (Federal and State) that are overstretched and under resourced. In ‘Mums the Word’, ten mothers will be able to speak anonymously for the first time about their heartbreak – mothers who are highly professional and include, a Chemist, an Anesthetist, two Nurses, two Accountants, a Singing Teacher, a Hairdresser, Counsellor and a Senior government Psychologist.
Karen Hodgkins (who is also the creator of the ‘Dad’ documentary) helped to get a motion passed through the Senate this year regarding the Family Court when she visited Parliament in 2015 to present the film as requested by Senators who support this issue. Karen says, “Mothers can go years without contact or seeing their children, by which time incredible damage has been done to all involved; especially the children. It is time we became aware of this growing and disturbing phenomenon in our current court system and demand change.”
“In this modern age, the sense of inhumanity and crisis beggars belief” - Senator John Madigan (VIC)
“It’s really the kids who suffer, they don’t have the capacity to understand as much as we do, they sit in their own quite world blaming themselves” says Phil York a Counsellor from Dads in Distress.
“It is enormously difficult for the courts to deal with people who have mental illnesses which are mis-treated or undiagnosed, for whom the best interests of the children may not be in the forefront of their minds” says Patrick Parkinson a Family Law Professor Sydney University.
Is our current system really working in ‘the best interest of the children.’? “I think it’s time to re cast the family law act” says Former Judge David Collier.
Sunday 15th May 2016 will be a fundraiser at The Bells Hotel - 157 Moray St. South Melbourne (from 1pm-5pm), to raise money to create the book and raise awareness of this issue. Senator John Madigan will be our guest speaker along with live performances from the Michelle Slater Performing Arts Dancers, and mother’s who have written poems and songs for their children.
Karen Hodgkins is available for interviews
For more information:
For Bookings: http://www.virtual-reality-media.com/mums-the-word.html
Website: http://www.virtual-reality-media.com/
Media contact: Cindy Rochstein (M: 0437 094 049; E: info@emagine.agency)
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All information source eMAGINE Agency at 11th May, 2016. This press release is qualified for issuance in Australia (and internationally) and is for information purposes only. This press release is issued by eMAGINE Agency to members of the press and media and the information contained herein should not be construed as personal advice. Authorised and regulated by eMAGINE Agency www.emagine.agency