SYSTEMS ABUSE AND FAMILY VIOLENCE IN TASMANIA
What is Systems Abuse?
Systems abuse is when someone uses legal systems, government agencies, and institutions to continue controlling, harassing, or hurting their former partner after a relationship ends. It exploits the very institutions and processes designed to protect vulnerable individuals in the justice system
How Does It Happen?
Systems abuse can include:
- Making repeated court applications: Filing multiple court cases (family law, intervention orders, child custody) to drain the victim’s money and energy
- Making false reports: Repeatedly reporting someone to police or child protection services with baseless claims
- Using delay tactics: Not showing up to court, asking for endless delays, appealing decisions for no good reason
- Cross-applications: When a victim applies for a protection order, the abuser also applies for one against them to intimidate them into dropping their case
- Hiding information: Refusing to provide documents or information required by courts
- Using lawyers as weapons: Hiring aggressive, bullying lawyers to destroy their ex-partners
The Impact on Victims
Victim-survivors often experience severe financial strain due to legal fees, significant emotional distress and anxiety, reduced capacity to parent effectively and loss of faith that they can achieve anything at all in the family law system.
Many victims:
- Run out of money paying for legal help
- Feel exhausted and overwhelmed
- Struggle to work or care for their children
- Lose faith in the justice system that was supposed to protect them
- May give up and agree to unfair settlements just to make it stop
Systems Abuse in Tasmania
In August 2025, Engender Equality released a report on systems abuse in Tasmania report on systems abuse in Tasmania . The report provides preliminary insights into the extent and complexity of these often hidden practices which are commonly faced by victim-survivors
The report found that Tasmanian women experience abuse across public and private institutional systems, and it highlights the need for more research and understanding of this problem in Tasmania.
Why It Matters
Systems abuse is recognized as a form of family violence in Australia. While it may not leave visible physical scars, the psychological and emotional toll can be just as damaging.
For children caught up in systems abuse, the impact can be devastating – causing confusion, stress, and long-term emotional harm.
Getting Help
If you think you’re experiencing systems abuse:
- Document everything: Keep records of all court dates, reports, and contacts
- Seek legal advice: Contact Tasmania Legal Aid (1300 366 611) or Women’s Legal Service Tasmania
- Get support: Contact Engender Equality (03 6278 9090) or Safe Choices (1800 806 189)