Federal court ruling from the Courier Mail, Australia
A seven year old boy was at the centre of a courtroom drama yesterday when
he challenged a court ruling over who should have custody of him..
The boy has a history of being beaten by his parents and the judge
initially awarded custody to his aunt, in keeping with the child custody
law and regulations requiring that family unity be maintained to the
degree possible.
The boy surprised the court when he proclaimed that his aunt beat him more
than his parents and he adamantly refused to live with her. When the judge
suggested that he live with his grandparents, the boy cried out that they
also beat him.
After considering the remainder of the immediate family and learning that
domestic violence was apparently a way of life among them, the judge took
the unprecedented step of allowing the boy to propose who should have
custody of him.
After two recesses to check legal references and confer with child welfare
officials, the judge granted temporary custody to the Australian Rugby team,
whom the boy firmly believes is not capable of beating anyone...
"Statistics are used as a drunk uses lampposts - for support, not illumination."
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