By Aneeka Simonis
THEIR conversation was scheduled to last no more than 30 minutes.
But when Kristy McKellar sat down opposite then Attorney General Robert Clark in 2014, she was given every ounce of his attention as she bravely told her difficult story.
By the end of their long conversation, Mr Clark knew every last detail of the abuses Kristy, 36, had faced in her own home.
Most importantly, she helped highlight the problems family violence victims faced within the justice system, explaining she and her daughter had been re-abused by the system designed to protect them.
Her story and will to improve outcomes for other family violence victims has been significant.
It has been cited in the Royal Commission into Family Violence, and Kristy has now built a career as a family violence advisor to the government, police and social welfare agencies.
Days after the close of her horror two and a half year ordeal with the courts, Kristy decided to pen a letter to Mr Clark to highlight the ways in which the justice system failed her and her daughter.
Her violent ex-husband never served a day in jail for the years of abuse she had to endure.
She bared her soul to Mr Clark in that letter, detailing the deep inadequacy which put her and her daughter’s life in danger.
Mr Clark sought to meet with Kristy.
The scheduled 30-minute appointment went for over an hour, resulting in Kristy’s propulsion into the world of policy and social change.
“I have the utmost respect for the way he managed and validated my story. But what meant most to me is that he actioned something,” Kristy said.
“During our meeting, there was no paperwork. He had one piece of paper and kept direct eye contact with me, listening to learn what he could do to rectify the issues.”
Mr Clark, now Box Hill MP and Shadow Minister for Industrial Relations, said her story was “right up there” with one of the most impacting stories he had heard on the job since he began in 1998.
Her story was one of many that provided crucial insight into the Royal Commission into Family Violence, as well as support a flurry of changes including the right for victims to speak out against their attacker.
But there was still a ways to go, Mr Clark said.
“Kristy’s story shows a lot more needs to be done. It’s important that she’s stepped forward.
“It helps others become more aware of what happens, and help them be alert themselves. It also helps perpetrators realise they are in the wrong and need to change,” he said.
Kristy’s story was not unique – but it broke the stereotypes.
She was educated, had a good upbringing and had extensive experience dealing with violent offenders through her role as a corrections officer.
Yet, as her case proves, family violence does not discriminate.
After years of powerlessness, Kristy finally decided she would be the one to speak out.
“I wanted to be the voice for everyone who suffered the exact same as me,” she said.
She endured physical, sexual, emotional and financial violence at the hands of her ex-husband for close to four years.
Her daughter suffered too. She was diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) at just 13 months of age.
Her ex-husband was never jailed for his crimes including recklessly causing serious injury, unlawful assault and multiple intervention order breaches.
An appeal in the County Court saw his sentence significantly reduced to a two-year community corrections order with 250 hours of unpaid community work.
Both Kristy’s lived and professional experiences have led to her securing a role as a family violence consultation to the government, police and welfare agencies.
Kristy will head Cardinia Shire’s soon-to-be-launched Survivors’ Advisory Group. If you’re interested in joining, email p.martin@cardinia.vic.gov.au.
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