Domestic Violence
CSMC at the Inquiry into family violence orders
On Friday, CSMC spoke to the Standing Committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs' inquiry into family violence orders. The Federal Government hearings were established to investigate how to provide better access for victim-survivors in the family law system,...
Single mums need to safeguard important documents – here’s how
When Fatima and her children fled a domestic violence situation in the middle of the night they had only the clothes they were wearing. In the days following, she discovered she was unable to apply for Centrelink payments or even set up a bank account because she...
The family violence payment victims can’t access
It was a payment designed to assist women and children fleeing violence, but a new report has revealed that the majority of applications are being rejected, leading to the obvious question: what's the point in introducing a family violence payment only to make it...
Single mothers go to Canberra; Family Law reform ensues
Two weeks ago, Andi, CSMC's Policy and Communications Coordinator, and Michelle and Charisse, two of our passionate single mother members boarded a plane to Canberra. There they joined Terese Edwards, CEO of Single Mother Families Australia, and headed into...
Everyone’s talking about single mothers
Are your ears burning? They might well be - over the past month it seems like everyone's been talking about single mothers. Anne Summers kicked off an explosion of interest in single mothers in July last year with her report The Choice: Violence or Poverty. She...
New rental laws welcome pets!
New laws in Victoria will make it easier for renters to have a pet. For the most vulnerable people in our community, a pet is more than a lovable hobby. Many women parenting alone look to their dog for protection and security. This is especially important if they...
Proposed changes to the Family Law Act
Two weeks ago, The Australian Attorney-General announced his intension to change the Family Law Act to centre on the best interests of the children. He has released an ‘exposure draft’ of the changes he wants made to the existing legislation and asked for comments....
My child doesn’t want to go to visitation with the other parent. Do I have to force him?
By Dara Isaacson, family lawyer As a family lawyer, one of the most common questions that I get asked by my clients is what their obligations are when their child or children do not want to spend time with the other parent when the parents have separated. This is...