Role and responsibility of the Australian Government Office for Women ...

Faxed to #02-6212-9572, and mailed Thursday 12th June 2008, (Express guaranteed next day delivery #BN3448044) with supporting information. No response as yet.

* * *

…


Julia Burns
Executive Director
Australian Government Office for Women
PO Box 7576
Canberra Business Centre, ACT 2610

Re: Australian Children and Women Trapped Overseas by Domestic Violence and Systemic and Judicial Abuse

Dear Ms Burns,

I am contacting your office again in regards to the desperate and traumatic situation of Australian children and women trapped overseas by domestic violence and systemic and judicial abuse. Despite many years of begging for assistance from politicians, academics, researchers, women’s and human rights advocates and organisations I have not been successful in finding anyone willing and available to assist us (see www.womenwhowant2gohome.blogspot.com the online resource I created in the form of a blog).

Is the creation of the new National Council to Reduce Violence Against Women and Children an opportunity for you and your department to work with the council to provide immediate assistance and advocacy and ensure safety, security and support for these innocent and vulnerable Australians? When no one else has the integrity or political will to speak up for Australian children and women who have not only experienced the trauma of domestic violence but are additionally traumatised by being trapped far from safety and family in a country that finds violence against immigrant women and their children acceptable, will you and the National Council to Reduce Violence Against Women and Children work together with us to ensure we receive safety and justice and the immediate assistance, protection and advocacy we have needed and deserved for many years?

This situation has been so traumatic that my eldest daughter attempted suicide and I still cannot get any assistance or protection for us. I am extremely concerned for my children’s welfare, wellbeing and safety, my wellbeing and safety, the wellbeing and safety of the other Australian woman and her children mentioned in my online resource, all other children and women in this traumatic situation, concerned about security of my information and documents and personal possessions still in Canada and desperate for immediate intervention and assistance for all of us.

These issues need to be part of public and political discourse, and until my children and I are safe we need to not be in any way identifiable - knowing you can ask for assistance and remain safely anonymous would be an important factor in other women and families coming forward to share their information of similar experiences. When my children and I are safe I would like to use my experiential knowledge and extensive research to contribute to safety, security, support and sustainable futures for all children and women. I would be happy to become a member of the new National Council to Reduce Violence Against Women and Children and any other body that contributes to effective, practical, timely solutions to the health, governance, economic, well-being and sustainability challenges of our country, our region and our shared planet.

Sincerely,

…

* * *

Office for Women- National Council to Reduce Violence Against Women And Children, Terms of Reference www.ofw.facs.gov/au/womens_safety_agenda/national_council_reduce_violence