Coercive control laws won’t impact the pretty women, the passive women, the neat and acceptable women who’s smiles are dripping with honey. The ones who’ve never had the power of the system held above them.

The women who’ve never been arrested. Had the one abusing her call the police to come take her away. Dragged into hospital to be punished for responding to the trauma he inflicted.

The same police who stood there and empathised with the abuser “yer we know what there’re like we’ll take good care of her” physical placed with threats of handcuffs into a ambulance and armed cop by their side.

Involuntary treatment orders, emaciated, dying and not believed. Saying my husband wants me to die, but was discharged back to his care.

Screaming and swearing you’re not listening, they allowed him hold me down while they sedated me. Violent men and violent systems all situated around who has power and how hasn’t.

The women so poor they steal rolls of toilet paper from public toilets, sugar packets of tables as they go past cafes, and not to mention what ever else from the supermarket. Hoping praying they don’t get caught and punished even more.

The women who’ve had all their psychiatrist notes subpoenaed and read out for everyone to hear, including her violent husband. Being grilled in a court room hoping they won’t bring up the violence she is living with. The violence she’d been disclosing for years.

The women who once they got out would do anything for money to drag them and their kids out of poverty. Further degradation, fresh trauma piled on top of the rest. Emotional dumping grounds for angry men, but at least these ones are paying.

Introducing a law won’t turn this around. Won’t make us less afraid of police. It won’t give us what we need to pull ourselves out of poverty. Some (but not all) of the darkest days I’ve ever had were on the other side, after I got out. It won’t build structures that keep us safe

I got that justice you all say we need, but it didn’t really change anything. Sentence to be served concurrently are words I’ll never forget. The pain from other men while trying pull myself and my kids out of poverty are things no mother should have to endure.

I don’t need to be saved, we don’t need to be saved. Give us the tools, resources to save ourselves. That is justice. Heal our children instead of putting more punitive mesures in place for them to navigate.

Invest in future generations mental health and safty. Invest more now in prevention so no one needs intervention.