An Australian short film on domestic violence entitled ‘Degrees of Separation’ was aired for the first time at a conference for family law professionals in Brisbane last weekend.
Melbourne barrister Darren Mort funded the $15,000 project himself to explore the situations and circumstances surrounding family violence victims, such as keeping their ordeals a secret and living in denial. Mort, who is also involved in the Victorian Safe Steps Family Violence Response Centre, said he hopes his film will make a difference.
Lilia Szarski, a Relationships Australia mediation trainer, said the film demonstrated the compelling need to open a discussion on how to recognise domestic violence “and why do we don’t do anything about it.” Visiting US forensic psychologist Phil Stahl, a member of the US National Judicial College said, “This film can help educate judges both on the secrecy element of domestic violence and the powerfulness of domestic violence,” he said. The film is set to be publicly released next year.
Unfortunately, it is all too common that victims of domestic violence are poorly represented legally. If you are the victim of family violence, the attorneys at BB Law Group PLLC can help. Call us at (832) 534-2589 to consult about your case and see how you can begin taking legal action.