Archives for June 2023

This episode of Australian Story revolves around Hugh Van Cuylenburg, who has a hit podcast about embracing imperfection and becoming more resilient. It took a deep and difficult look at his own family’s complexities, especially his sister’s challenges with mental health, to help him truly understand the hardships of resilience.

As amazing as Hugh’s story is, it is a statement from his sister Georgia that trumpets the courage and empowerment of victim-survivors.

“The chapter ended with ‘I mourn the loss of potential in my sister because of what that man did to her’. And I just was absolutely ‘no’! I just cannot be part of a message that says you get traumatised as a child and your life can’t be great, because that’s not true.”

 

Sally (pseudonym), a victim of family violence, initially received our assistance in applying for funding from the Victims of Crime Tribunal (VOCAT) to cover counselling expenses following the incident. Recognizing the importance of safeguarding herself and her children from the offender, Sally sought a family lawyer, and we successfully obtained funds from VOCAT to pay her legal fees in the IVO Hearing.

While Sally aimed to resolve the matter in a manner that prioritized the safety and well-being of herself and her children, the other party’s lack of cooperation led the case to court. Throughout these proceedings, Sally incurred significant legal expenses with her family lawyer.

Understanding that these proceedings were a direct result of Sally’s efforts to escape further harm, we presented a compelling case to VOCAT. After several months of deliberation, and with Sally’s financial situation growing desperate, there was a moment of great relief. The Tribunal Member, demonstrating extraordinary compassion, exercised their discretion and awarded the remaining funds towards Sally’s family law bill. Remarkably, this case stands out as one of the rare instances where the Tribunal granted the entire available pool of funds ($60,000) to the applicant.

Although Sally continues to face various challenges in her life, thanks to the compassionate nature of the Magistrate sitting as a Tribunal Member on VOCAT, her legal bill and the safety of her children are no longer among them. This outcome brings immense relief and hope for a brighter future.