#21fathers is a social media and public awareness campaign produced by the ABF that seeks to highlight the truly devastating impact suicide has on Australian families and our communities.
The statistics are truly shocking! The base figure of 3 fathers a day was first discussed during a meeting with a long serving fathers rights lobbyist based in Canberra. Government funding coupled with years of work with policy gave him excellent insight into the inner workings and development of family social policy for the country over the last 25 years.
The Child Support Agency noted that their contact and dealings with clients struggling with child access issues combined with the heavy financial burden of child support contributed to the suicide rate of their clients. The agency itself released specific data as part of their annual reports that linked the suicide of fathers to a change of policy in collections.
Time and time again we see injustices perpetrated against fathers from a clearly biased court system and the anti-father child support system, that hides behind the frequently used statement that their actions are in the best interests of children. In reality this is a terrible lie used to restrict fathers from fair and reasonable contact with their kids. The system instead favours mothers who are able to openly manipulate the process to become the primary custodial parent for either financial gain or simply to maintain a level of control over the noncustodial parents life.
There are too many fathers taking their lives in Australia because of child access issues, high costs associated with family law, child support financial pressures, false allegations of abuse and family court rulings that are clearly bias toward mothers. Fathers seek only to maintain contact with their children to provide care, support and be positive role models for their children but are left suffering and in distress.
The ABF is calling on all parties and agencies involved to change how they deal with separated families so that both parents are afforded equal rights of access and financial care. We also seek solutions that reduce the emotional and financial pressures associated with family law services, given the costly and prolonged legal processes currently experienced in the Family Courts. Check out our #notyourright campaign for further details.
Help the ABF promote our campaign by using #21fathers in any of your social media posts!
You can also show support by purchase t-shirts, bumper stickers and wristbands to show those in your community that change needs to happen. Fundraising is directed toward direct action events nationally!
