***Content warning: This episode discusses institutional and child abuse. If this may be triggering for you, consider skipping this episode or listening at a different time. For support, you can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 (more contact numbers below)***

They’re meant to be places that have your best interests at heart, but some religious and government institutions have instead become spaces where abuse and neglect have occurred. The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Abuse exposed the scale of historic abuse in institutions in Australia.

In this episode of Law Matters, Catherine Henry speaks with Bob O’Toole, Co-founder and Chair of the Clergy Abused Network (CAN) Hunter-Newcastle-Manning, about how his organisation supports those seeking justice and redress.

In this episode, Catherine and Bob talk about:

• How CAN supports survivors
• Seeking justice through the National Redress Scheme, civil claims and mediation
• General advice for people thinking about seeking redress.

Disclaimer

While this podcast is aimed to be informative, it is not intended to be a substitute for legal advice. You should see a solicitor for complete advice that relates directly to your situation.

For support, please reach out to the following services:

Lifeline - Free 24/7 suicide prevention and crisis support for all Australians - Call 13 11 14

Clergy Abused Network - a network of trauma-informed and sensitive volunteers who share the experience of being impacted by abuse by clergy or abuse by lay workers in religious contexts.

National Redress Scheme - is for people who experienced child sexual abuse while in an institution. The Scheme helps people access redress and can connect them to free confidential Redress Support Services.

For more information, please visit:

Our free online resource FAQs: Institutional Abuse available on our website.

If you or someone you know needs advice regarding redress for institutional abuse, you can learn more by contacting the team at Catherine Henry Lawyers on 1800 874 949.

***Content warning: This episode discusses suicide and suicide prevention. If this may be triggering for you, consider skipping this episode or listening at a different time. For support, you can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 (more contact numbers below)***

Death by suicide is hard to think about, let alone talk about. But this is what mental health advocate Craig Hamilton is asking us to do.

He wants everyone to make ‘the promise’ that if you’re struggling with your mental health, you will tell someone.

In this episode of Law Matters, Catherine Henry speaks to Craig about his recent documentary, The Promise, and the manic episode that began Craig’s mission to talk openly about mental health and work tirelessly to reduce stigma.

In this episode, Catherine and Craig talk about:

• How attitudes to mental health have changed over the past 20 years
• Why, despite all the advancements, we still need to do better when it comes to providing care for people with mental illness
• Why people in regional and rural Australia face even greater disadvantages

Disclaimer

While this podcast is aimed to be informative, it is not intended to be a substitute for legal advice. You should see a solicitor for complete advice that relates directly to your situation.

Mental Health Services

Lifeline - Free 24/7 suicide prevention and crisis support for all Australians. Call 13 11 14

Suicide Call Back Service - Free 24/7 counselling support if you are at risk of or affected by suicide. Call 1300 659 467

Kids Helpline - Free 24/7 phone and online counselling service for young people aged 5 to 25. Call 1800 55 1800

13 YARN - Free 24/7 Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander-run crisis support line. Call 13 92 76

If you or someone you know need advice regarding the care received during a mental health crisis, you can learn more about mental health and the law here, or contact the team at Catherine Henry Lawyers on 1800 874 949.

One in three women experience birth trauma. So, what's being done about it?

In May 2024, the NSW Parliamentary Inquiry into Birth Trauma released its report, which included five findings and 43 recommendations.

In this episode of Law Matters, Catherine Henry talks to the Chair of the Inquiry, MP for the NSW Animal Justice Party, Emma Hurst.

Together, they discuss:

• Why continuity of midwifery care is so vital to good birthing outcomes
• The experience of women who have sought legal advice following a traumatic birth
• The recommendations that were voted down by the inquiry committee that Emma felt so strongly about, she wrote a dissenting statement.

Disclaimer

While this podcast is aimed to be informative, it is not intended to be a substitute for legal advice. You should see a solicitor for complete advice that relates directly to your situation.

For more information:

• Access our free information resource
• Download our free eBook, Women and the Law
• Listen to the full episode of Law Matters with CEO of the Australasian Birth Trauma Association, Amy Dawes here.
• Find the full report on the NSW Select Committee Birth Trauma Inquiry here.

If you have a legal issue and live in regional NSW you can find out more at Catherine Henry Lawyers, or call the team on 1800 874 949.

If you are not willing to be arrested in the fight against climate change, are you willing to support those climate activists who are?

That was the topic of discussion at the 2024 Margaret Henry Memorial Lecture with ethicist, writer and activist Dr Leslie Cannold from the Cranala Centre for Ethical Leadership, and Rising Tide Activist and Renewable Energy Engineer, Jasmine Stuart.

In this special episode of Law Matters, Catherine Henry brings to you the lecture that took place at Newcastle City Hall.

You’ll hear about:

• Why Rising Tide is targeting the coal port in Newcastle’s harbour as a vehicle to bring worldwide action to the climate crisis
• Why Dr Leslie Cannold is proposing that the older generations “sponsor” a young climate activist

• The strategy behind what is seen as radical activism and why climate activists feel this is their only option.

Disclaimer

While this podcast is aimed to be informative, it is not intended to be a substitute for legal advice. You should see a solicitor for complete advice that relates directly to your situation.

For more information:

• Rising Tide
• Margaret Henry Memorial Lecture

If you have a legal issue and want to talk to the team, you can find out more at Catherine Henry Lawyers, or by calling 1800 874 949.

Going through a relationship breakdown is difficult for anyone. When you add children to the equation and tensions escalate to the point of legal proceedings, it's hard to spot a winner.

That’s why the 2024 amendments to the Family Law Act 1975 hold such significant interest for those working in the field or facing a family law matter.

In this episode, Senior Associate and Practice Leader of Relationship Law, Rob Dilley, talks to Arbitrator, Mediator and Barrister, Colin Forrest SC. Colin also served as a trial judge in the Family Court of Australia for ten years before resigning in 2021.

In this episode, you’ll learn about:

• The new amendments that place the rights of the child to see the parents at the forefront (not the rights of the parents to see the child)
• Why it’s now harder for court orders to be changed
• How the role of Independent Children’s Lawyers has changed

Disclaimer

While this podcast is aimed to be informative, it is not intended to be a substitute for legal advice. You should see a solicitor for complete advice that relates directly to your situation.

For more information please visit:

Our extensive online resources on Family Law.

For more information on the family law reforms, here's a fact sheet for parents prepared by the Attorney-General's Department.

You can also download our free eBook, Families and the Law: A guide to help you navigate the family law system.

If you have a legal issue and live in regional NSW you can find out more at Catherine Henry Lawyers, or call the team on 1800 874 949.

Join us for this special episode of Law Matters, where three former clients of Catherine Henry Lawyers discuss their experiences with botched cosmetic surgery, from their decision-making process to the procedure and the subsequent legal action.

A word of warning: While these stories are graphic and alarming, we believe it's imperative for others to understand the experiences these women have endured and how to identify a reputable surgeon.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• How first impressions differed greatly from the surgery experience
• How to confirm the licence of your potential surgeon
• The legal process for cosmetic surgery negligence from a client perspective

Disclaimer

While this podcast is aimed to be informative, it is not intended to be a substitute for legal advice. You should see a solicitor for complete advice that relates directly to your situation.

For more information please visit:

Listen to the previous Law Matters Podcast episode on Cosmetic Surgery Reforms.

Find out more about Cosmetic Surgery Negligence.

Look up a practitioner with AHPRA.

If you have experienced poor or substandard care from a cosmetic surgeon, please get in touch to see if we can help you - enquire online or call 1800 874 949.

On the face of it, there’s been a crackdown on cosmetic surgery. But is it enough to keep rogue practitioners from causing harm to unsuspecting patients?

In this episode of Law Matters, Practice Leader of Health Law, Rosemary Listing, talks to barrister and nurse, Ngaire Watson. Ngaire specialises in health and medical litigation and is also a spokesperson on health law and medical negligence with the Australian Lawyers Alliance.

Rosemary and Ngaire discuss the problems within the cosmetic surgery sector and how several reforms introduced in 2023 will impact the industry from a health and safety perspective.

In this episode you’ll learn:

• About the different reforms that have been introduced for cosmetic surgery, specifically around advertising, online presence and the use of the word ‘surgeon’
• Why rogue practitioners are so difficult to police
• What options are available if you’ve been a victim of cosmetic surgery gone wrong.

Disclaimer

While this podcast is aimed to be informative, it is not intended to be a substitute for legal advice. You should see a solicitor for complete advice that relates directly to your situation.

For more information please visit:

• Listen to our previous episode of Law Matters on Cosmetic Surgery.
• Find out more about the law and Medical Negligence.

If you have a legal issue and live in NSW you can find out more at Catherine Henry Lawyers, or call the team on 1800 874 949.

Access to a dignified death, free from pain and suffering, should be available to all.

In this episode of Law Matters, Catherine Henry is joined by Hunter senior geriatrician, founding Chair of Hunter Ageing Alliance, and 2024 NSW Senior Australian of the Year, Dr. John Ward to explore the profound implications of the recently introduced Voluntary Assisted Dying (VAD) laws in NSW.

In this episode you’ll learn:

• Why NSW may be at an advantage by being the last state to implement these laws
• A better understanding of the nuanced decisions and challenges faced by terminally ill individuals and their care providers
• The practical aspects of the VAD legislation, including eligibility criteria, safeguards, and the role of medical practitioners in facilitating compassionate end-of-life care
• The potential impact of VAD laws on people living in rural and remote areas.

Disclaimer

While this podcast is aimed to be informative, it is not intended to be a substitute for legal advice. You should see a solicitor for complete advice that relates directly to your situation.

For more information please visit:

Q&A on Voluntary Assisted Dying.

End of life care resources.

Find out more about VAD from NSW Health.

If you have a legal issue and live in NSW you can find out more at Catherine Henry Lawyers, or call the team on 1800 874 949.