The Family Court just handed my son over to my abuser!

The family court just handed my son over to my abuser

My son Jack is my inspiration, and is worth asking for help for a million times over. I'd do anything to give him a good life and a happy home. He's always ready with a smile, a hug, a freshly picked flower, and a kind word for mum, and having survived a domestic violence situation with me has been through more than he should ever be expected to. He has extreme separation anxiety issues that have resulted in behavioural problems in school.

I've moved to the country to get away from the continuing surveillance, harassment, financial abuse, and stalking however my ex filed for a recovery order. I was ordered to send my son back to the city to live with his father at an interim hearing, even though he has convictions for assaulting me, and violating a VRO. It's madness.

BUT THE FIGHT IS NOT OVER. THE FINAL HEARING IS SET FOR JANUARY NEXT YEAR.

We need money to pay for;

• A single expert witness with knowledge of the dynamics of domestic violence and narcissistic personality disorder.
• 
  
• Effective specialist ongoing educational, and psychological support for Jack (see video series on my webpage regarding the effects of trauma on children)
• 
  
• Effective specialist Complex-PTSD therapy for me
• Trips to and from the city and accommodation costs for court appearances.
• 
  
• An experienced family lawyer with knowledge of the dynamics of family violence to help with writing and filing paperwork, and to represent me in court.
• 
  
• A good home security system
  

I have Complex - Post Traumatic Stress Disorder from the abuse which has prevented me from working in a full time job in the past few years. It has also prevented me from pursuing the man responsible for the domestic violence for a financial settlement through the Victims of Crime Compensation. The mere suggestion of going near a court building is an avoidance, anxiety, and depression trigger for me. I need money to pay a lawyer to fill out and lodge paperwork for me as I go into avoidance, and depression/anxiety meltdown when faced with having to relive the story and put down the details of my abuse. I also need aggressive representation in court as Jackson's father has secured the services of a top family lawyer. Representing myself is not an option if I'm going to secure my son's future security and health.

I have family support where I'm at now, but not in the city I moved from with my son. I've been here for six months and my health is so much better than what it was. I aim to not only keep it that way, but keep on getting stronger and more resilient.