The Ripple Effect: Healthy men, masculinity and building healthy communities on International Men’s Day and beyond
On International Men’s Day, we celebrate the journey of men, their mental health, and their vital role within all family types. As a family law firm, we know men face unique challenges, particularly those navigating the complexities of divorce and separation. We know it’s important to shed light on an exceptional initiative that offers men tremendous support going through tough times, The Men’s Table. This transformative group, founded in 2011, has been creating ripples of positive change in the lives of men and the broader community. In this blog post, we delve into the findings of The Ripple Effect study, highlighting the profound impact of The Men’s Table on individuals and society at large, and emphasising its role in promoting… read more
16 Nov 2023
Self-care during separation and divorce
From relief and a new-found sense of freedom to utter devastation and confusion, the end of a relationship provokes a vast range of emotions. Wherever you fall on that spectrum, grief and loss are universal experiences at the end of a relationship. Social scientists tell us that the impact of divorce can affect our IQ and that it is the second most stressful life event a person can experience, second only to death of a spouse. It’s no wonder then that you may be feeling anger, confusion, guilt, shame, helplessness, resentment and loneliness – even if you’re the one that decided to end the relationship. The emotional turmoil going on internally for you right now might also bring on other difficulties including… read more
7 Nov 2023
Navigating the Digital Dating World Safely: Protecting Yourself and your Rights
In today’s digital age, where swipes and clicks often pave the path to love, online dating apps have become a prominent platform for those looking for love (or fun) to connect with potential partners. But for every ‘happily ever after’, there are an equal number of negative experiences occurring between app users – some involving criminal acts like sexual harassment, abuse and assault. The Australian Institute of Criminology’s research revealed that three in four people using online dating apps experienced some form of sexual violence, including harassment, abusive language, image-based abuse, and stalking. The Australian government recently issued an ultimatum to the operators of dating apps, urging them to take decisive action to address sexual assault on their platforms. The… read more
19 Sep 2023
NSW Police Launce “Empower You” as the prevalence of reported Family Violence rises across Australia
According to statistics, the number of reported cases of family violence in Australia has been steadily rising over the past decade, raising concerns within the community. The Australian Bureau of Statistics reported an estimated 8 million Australians (41%) have experienced violence (physical and/or sexual) since the age of 15 . Factors contributing to this rise include societal changes, economic pressures, mental health issues, and other complex dynamics within families. The growing societal awareness and willingness of victims to come forward indicates a cultural shift to recognise and report family violence in Australia. Enter App Empower You: A free smart-phone app empowering victims to gain legal protection. Recently launched by the New South Wales (NSW) Police, Empower You provides legal… read more
19 Sep 2023
Who keeps the dog?
“No matter how little money and how few possessions you own, having a dog makes you rich.”- Louis Sabin We’ve all heard the age-old phrase that a dog is a man’s best friend. But during the most recent lock-down pets have become so much more that a friend – more often than not, our pets can be our furry family! There are so many psychological benefits to having pets around on our mental health. The American Psychology association has found that pets have a positive effect on both the physical and mental health of their owners, providing social support and improving wellbeing.[1] Indeed, studies in the UK have found that pet ownership can lessen some of the negative impacts of… read more
8 Aug 2023
Social media and coparenting
In the age of Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok and the latest social media stomping-ground ‘Threads’ it’s become second nature to post openly about our lives, families and loved ones. Navigating social media becomes far more perilous in an acrimonious separation or divorce. Just look at the ill-fated Twitter posts of Kanye West during his much-publicised marriage breakdown with Kim Kardashian to see the havoc that oversharing on social media can have in your legal matters. Increasingly social media posts are being used in Court to prove – and sometimes disprove – claims people make in legal proceedings. When going online it is important to remember that your posts, and even other posts that you ‘like’ or comment on, may be publicly… read more
19 Jul 2023
Navigating property settlement
Your ex has a new partner – how does this affect your property settlement? Sometimes, working things out after a separation or break-up isn’t a walk in the park. For de facto couples, you have a window of 24 months from the date of separation to sort things out. For married couples, the timeframe is 12 months from the date of divorce. However, since married couples are required to wait for 12 months after separation before becoming eligible for divorce (and even then, some people don’t formalise their divorce), they often have a bit more time to tackle these issues. Whilst some people wait before they finalise their property relationship, life goes on. Perhaps you’ve fallen hard for your new… read more
14 Jul 2023
Uneasy viewing, but ‘Safe Home’ is a must-watch
Trending SBS series ‘Safe Home’ is a dramatic portrayal of the often visceral and heart-wrenching experiences of victims of family and domestic violence. The 4-part series is a confronting watch and requires a trigger warning. Creator Anna Barnes says it is not based on a true story but that “Family violence is so tragically common in Australia, but it’s still something that isn’t discussed openly.” While it is undeniably widespread through our community, the intent to raise social understanding about the issue is clear As a family lawyer also working in the sector, it was not just the subject material that resonated with me, but the lived experiences portrayed through the characters rang true with the work I do with… read more
4 Jul 2023
Inspiring hope this Mothers’ Day
Roundabout Canberra CEO Hannah Andrevski and Karinya House CEO Lavinia Tyrrel. Photo: Liv Cameron. Every woman should be surrounded by the support she needs to thrive during and after pregnancy. For women dealing with the stresses of financial strain, family violence or housing insecurity, a warm and dependable network is even more important. On 5 May, three remarkable, female-led businesses will come together to support Canberran women at the Hope Starts Here Mothers’ Day Charity Luncheon – Karinya House, Roundabout Canberra and Parker Coles Curtis. READ ALSO Hole in one for Menslink at annual Charity Golf Day Karinya House is a charity that seeks to provide a safe and caring environment for women from all walks of life. “Every woman… read more
13 Jun 2023
Blending families after divorce
Census data collected in 2016 and again in 2021 confirmed that the typical family image of ‘mum, dad and two kids’ is no longer the predominant family type. The face of families has changed in Australia, with families increasingly comprised of a couple without children, single parent families and families including non-biological children and parents, step siblings, half siblings, foster carers, and other non-traditional carers such aunts, uncles and grandparents. In our series of articles, we identify some important things to consider if you are entering a relationship after a break-up or blending families after a divorce. Blended families – defined as “a family consisting of a couple, the children they have together, and children from previous relationships or adopted… read more
17 May 2023