This week, the Standing Committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs revealed results from an online survey to which 3800 people from across Australia responded. The survey is part of a parliamentary inquiry into the family court system.

Ninety-four per cent of survey respondents identified that they have experienced family violence. Of those, 82 per cent reported that they had been the direct target of that violence. Almost 70 per cent of respondents were women.

The survey results highlighted some key failings within the family law court system.

Safety during court proceedings was highlighted as a significant issue for victims of family violence.

Fifty-seven per cent felt unsafe during court proceedings, and 78 per cent were not offered a safety plan regarding their court appearance, the results showed.

“There wasn’t enough security and help in the court room itself,” one respondent said.

“I had to queue up with my children in the same entrance with the perpetrator,” another stated.

Miscommunication between multiple courts and jurisdictions was identified as another pain point for family violence victims.

Almost 50 per cent of respondents had legal proceedings in more than one court and of those, 82 per cent felt unsatisfied with the coordination between courts.

“The two courts are unaware of the action occurring in the other court… [causing] huge delay and confusion,”  one respondent said.

“The process is not holistic and lacks continuity,” another said.

Speaking to the Argus, Kempsey Family Support Service executive officer June Wilson said the family court structure is “a pretty tough system to get caught in”.

“I believe that the current family law court system actually keeps victims of family violence in danger and at risk,” Ms Wilson said.

“Not only do victims get stuck in prolonged, back-and-forth situations with court processes and dealings with solicitors or legal aid, but, for example, women who have been the subject of domestic violence from partners often must commit to regularly handing over their children for court-approved visits with that partner.

“A lot of those women have to travel long distances for those visits as well, so we have that issue of distance and isolation for victims,” she said.

Further, the financial and emotional cost for continuing to go back to court over and over again is extraordinary, Ms Wilson said.

“This is something that, over the years, pushes women who are trying to create a safe environment for their children under 16 to the limit of just how much they can manage. It’s incredibly difficult.”

The Standing Committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs will continue to release new information over the course of its inquiry and will hold its next hearing on October 17.