Save Tom domestic violence need money children

Save Tom!

We need your help!

I am the step mother of a 7 year old boy who needs our help! For most of his life he has been exposed to domestic violence and we want to take him away from it. He is unable to sleep at night for fear that someone he loves or he himself will be hurt. Please help us to help this loving, intelligent child who doesn't deserve to live this way.

Domestic Violence Association Kids Help Line

What we have done so far.

Tom's History

When we learned of what Tom was dealing with we went to court. We tried to gain custody of Tom at an interim hearing but because we were unable to afford a solicitor and the mother receives Legal Aid, we were unsuccessful. That was in April of 2003 and now we have to wait until our case is scheduled to be heard before a Judge, sometime next year. We have been told that if we had had legal representation, we may have gained custody of Tom in April, but the total cost of going to court may be as much as $20 000. A sum of money that is totally beyond us. One reason that hindered our interim case was the fact that Tom's mother started AA and swore she was out of the violent relationship, but a new relationship has started and Tom is suffering once again and his mother is showing all the signs of alcohol and drug use.

Tom's father (my husband) and his mother had a brief fling which resulted in Tom. His mother took him 1000kms from his father when he was 5 weeks old, which meant his father only saw him at the holidays. For 3 years his father has lived in the same area as Tom and has seen him regularly, and has suspected that Tom's life with his mother has not been ideal. However, it was only at the end of 2002 that his father found out exactly what type of life Tom had with his mother. Tom has moved house 13 times since he was born, been to 3 preschools and changed primary schools 3 times. His mother has received a government pension for Tom's whole life, cannot hold down a job, cannot maintain a car, a phone connection or a residence for very long. She has manic depression, post-natal depression, uses illegal drugs and is an alcoholic. She has tried to commit suicide more than once. She is also the abuser in a number of domestically violent relationships she has had since Tom was born. Tom misses out on a lot of things as a result of his mother's life. He has torn and dirty clothes, decayed teeth and misses out on school activities which cost money. Not to mention the emotional and psychological strain he is constantly under.

About Us

We have been together for 6 and a half years, married for 2 and a half years and have two young sons, which Tom loves dearly. We are both in child care and education as full time occupations. We have lived in the same house for the entire time in this area. We love children and cannot bear to see them hurt or suffering and need your help.

What we need and how you can help.

We need a solicitor. We have been receiving advice from one who we are very happy with but cannot afford for her to represent us in any court proceedings. She has estimated that we need between $12 000 and $20 000. If there are enough people out there who wish to help Tom and are willing to donate as little as a dollar, we could hire the solicitor and give Tom a better life than the one he now has.