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Hetty Johnston AM Leads Call For Royal Commission Into Australian Family Law System During National Summit

Announcement posted by Bravehearts 31 Jul 2018

On Friday 3 August, Hetty Johnston AM, GAICD - Founder & Executive Chair of Bravehearts Foundation Ltd will continue the call for a Royal Commission into Australia’s dysfunctional Family Law System as the opening speaker at a community driven national

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MEDIA ALERT: MONDAY 30 JULY 2018

HETTY JOHNSTON AM LEADS CALL FOR

ROYAL COMMISSION INTO AUSTRALIAN FAMILY LAW SYSTEM DURING NATIONAL SUMMIT

On Friday 3 August, Hetty Johnston AM, GAICD - Founder & Executive Chair of Bravehearts Foundation Ltd will continue the call for a Royal Commission into Australia’s dysfunctional Family Law System as the opening speaker at a community driven national summit on child safety to be held in Melbourne.

SUMMIT DATE: Friday 3 August 2018


MEDIA CALL TIMES: Hetty Johnston AM will be available for interview at 2 locations:

12:00MD – 1PM

Pre-Summit interview: The Westin - 205 Collins Street Melbourne (Crn Swanston Street).

2–3PM 

Summit interview: The Coolaroo Hotel, Crn Maffra Street and Barry Road, Coolaroo

3:30– 4PM

Hetty Johnston presents to more than 60 experts and advocates for the prevention of violence, abuse and trauma; on the urgent need for the reform of Australia’s Family Law System.

Hetty will lead the forum in the call for a Royal Commission into the Family Law System which is currently seeing children suffer as casualties of the war between parents with many placed in situations they often don’t understand – they are suffering, traumatised by the decisions made in a system where their human rights are blatantly violated.

Summit Details

The Summit will be held at the Coolaroo Hotel, Crn Maffra Street and Barry Road, Coolaroo commencing at 3:00PM and concluding at 11:00PM.


BACKGROUND:  Why is a Royal Commission into the Australian Family Law System essential to protect children?

In 2017, the ABS reported that more than 1.5 million women (11%) and almost 412,000 men (5%) had experienced sexual assault before they turned 15. Of women who were victims, more than 90% knew the perpetrator with 55% being relatives. Of male victims, more than 80% knew the perpetrator with 23% being relatives.

The outcomes of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse have given adult survivors hope and in some cases, redress. With data from NSW Police showing 4% of all recent reported allegations were associated with an institution, this indicates that assaults in institutional environments are declining.  

Sadly, the majority of child sexual assaults continue to be perpetrated by someone known to the child – often a family member. And while the majority of these crimes against children continue to go unreported, perpetrators go unpunished, and the children continue to suffer in silence. They suffer out of fear of the consequences of disclosing. They suffer because they don’t feel they have the opportunity to tell someone who can help them. They suffer from feelings of shame, of self-blame, embarrassment, guilt, responsibility and concern for their own safety or the safety of others. They suffer… And their suffering can last a lifetime…

While the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse has smashed the wall of silence surrounding cases of child sexual assaults in institutional environments, brought pressure to bear on organisations and justice and redress to victims and survivors; now it’s time to hold a Royal Commission into the Australian Family Law System to save the children who continue to suffer because of Australia’s current dysfunctional Family Law System.

The time to protect Australian children by holding a Royal Commission into the Australian Family Law System is NOW!

-ENDS-

#HettyJohnston #ProtectOurKids #RoyalCommission #Bravehearts @BraveheartsProtectKids

To confirm attendance at either media call events or the summit, or to arrange an interview please contact:

Clare Collins - P: 02 9518 4744 - M: 0414 821 957 E: clare@insightcommunications.net.au

Alice Collins - P: 02 9518 4744 - M: 0414 686 091 E: alice@insightcommunications.net.au

Or contact: pa@bravehearts.org.au   P: 07 5552 3027 More info at www.bravehearts.org.au