"The court finds Matilda Wilson Guilty of murdering Rebecca Wilson and sentences you to juvenile detention until your 18th birthday. Court adjourned" the judge declared. I was standing next to an incompetent lawyer who didn't speak once in my case. He was a legal aid attorney appointed by the court, not because my family couldn't afford a lawyer but because they believed I was guilty.

Harry my supposed father's best friend said so. He was the one to push my mother down the stairs and then blamed me and my family believed him. None of them even bothered to ask me or check the video footage from that day. Wait they aren't my family nope I won't give them that title anymore. I welcomed juvie as an escape from them. November 7th was my freedom from them. Two months ago when I lost my mother they turned on me. After I was charged for a crime I didn't commit, I was sent back to live with them and that's when the abuse started. It first was ignoring me and snide comments calling me names but when they didn't get the desired reaction from me after the first two days of me begging them to believe me, it turned physical. Oh, and my so-called father didn't care he joined in several times. Harry, just watched smiling like he won the lottery.

I was standing in the courtroom waiting to be handcuffed and taken away when every one of my three brothers spat on me while my father looked at me with hatred. Harry came and shook the hand of my lawyer and thanked him before whispering to me "Enjoy the time princess and thanks for taking the wrap". I would not let them see me break. They are nothing to me. I looked Harry in the eyes and said "You will pay. I am coming for you Harry. You have 5 years and then you better run". I will make every one of them pay for this. I will make them pay for hurting me and turning their backs on me their supposed family. The officer who had heard what Harry had said looked at me with sympathy before handcuffing me and walking me out of the courtroom.

I didn't look back just one step in front of the other. I can do this, one day at a time. I am 13 and a half, I have 4 and a half years to get through in juvie then I will allow myself 6 months before I go after every one of those monsters and make them regret the last two months of my stay.

It wasn't always like that. We were once a happy family. My mum and I were the only girls in a house full of males. We would have spa days and mother-daughter time. My dad would make daddy-daughter days and always have time for me. He would listen to me speak and come and watch me at all my touch football games. He took me to my dance classes and watched all my performances. He was proud of me and I believed in his love. My brothers and I were normal siblings laughing and fighting with each other like any other siblings. My dad is a businessman and we were well off. Anything we wanted we got.

My eldest brother Joshua was 8 years older than me. He started at uni doing a business degree when he was 18 to work with my father. He was the spitting image of my dad with brown hair but he had brown eyes. He was 6ft 5 and worked out daily. No one knew where he got his brown eyes from because both my mum and dad had blue eyes. My second eldest brother Lucas was a mix of my father and mum. He was 6ft 2 with blue eyes and sandy blonde hair. He is 6 years older than me and goes running daily. He was the typical jock involved in any sport. He used to be the coach of my touch football team. He also started at uni studying business to help in my father's company. Then there is my other brother who is 4 years older than me. Ethan was still in school and was the arrogant bad boy of the school. He is as tall as Lucas with brown hair and blue eyes. He has Dad's features and he and I were very close. We attended school together so spent more time with each other. But that changed the day my mother was killed. He turned just like the rest of them. I am glad I look like my mother. To be honest, I was her mini-me. I had blonde wavy hair, blue eyes and a heart-shaped face. I had big plump lips and was 5ft 3. I was developing still but hoped I had the hourglass figure like my mum did. She was gorgeous. She had a smile that would light up a room. God, I miss her.

I'm brought back to reality as we enter a cell at the bottom of the court house and the guard takes my cuffs off. He was looking at me while I kept my head down. He handed me some face wipes and told me to remove my make-up and jewellery. I took the wipes and the zip-lock bag and began to remove the makeup from my face. The guard gasped as the bruises on my face were no longer covered by the makeup. "Who did that to you?" He asked. "What does it matter?" I asked. "I heard your lawyer and I think his name is Harry talking. You didn't do it" he said. I just nodded and the tears started to roll down my cheeks. I continued to remove my jewellery and handed it to the guard. I will allow myself this minute well actually 10 minutes to break down and then I'll pick myself back up and focus on what needs to be done. writing here.

The first night in juvie was the worst. My brothers paid some people to beat me up because what they had done the night before wasn't enough. I have a split lip and 2 cracked ribs along with two black eyes and bruised kidneys. The guards were present and filmed the beating I'm guessing to show my oh so lovely family the finished product. I'm currently sitting in the doctor's office in juvie who is concerned about my state. He is trying to convince me to tell him what happened or to report it to the guards. I'm not stupid, I know if I report it I will get much worse. I'm sure my oh-so-lovely family made sure of that. I have to be admitted to the hospital wing as I am peeing blood and need to have my kidneys monitored. While he is doing paperwork to get that handled the guard from yesterday walks into the office with a woman who looks to be in her early 30's. I watch them to see what they are going to do.

"Hi I'm Jenny Murphy and you met Greg yesterday," says the woman. I just stare at her. "Right well Greg told me about what happened yesterday and asked me to come and talk to you. I want to hear your story of what happened with your mother" Jenny said. "What's it matter I'm here now" I replied. Jenny looked at Greg and it was like they were talking to each other without having a conversation. I don't trust any one of them. I will just keep my head down and do the time. "Look, Matilda, we want to help. Someone beat you while the guards did nothing last night. I heard the girls bragging about it and that's how they were getting out. You need someone in your corner. Let us help you" Greg said. I shook my head. Just then the doctor told me he wasn't able to send me to the hospital but I was being put in segregation for faking my injuries and being put on a mental health hold. What that all meant I didn't know but I guess I was about to find out.

A guard came into the room grabbing me by my hair and dragging me out of the room. It hurt like a bitch but I wasn't going to make the mistake of making a noise. I just kept repeating to myself one day at a time, one day at a time. I was thrown into a cell that had a metal slab and a toilet in the room. In the corner was a camera and if I walked 5 steps I would smack into the wall. The door was slammed and I was left alone. A few hours passed with me just sitting on the metal slab which was my bed before someone shoved food into the room through the hole in the door. "You have 10 minutes to eat before you get your hour in the yard," a voice said. I ate the stuff they called food and just waited. A while later the door opened and I was dragged again to what looked like a shared bathroom. I was handed a bag of three sets of "prison attire" which consisted of a green shirt, green track pants, white bra, socks underwear and a green jumper. There was also a toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner and soap. "You have 10 minutes to shower," the guard said before walking out.

I showered and changed and then the guard came back in grabbing my arm and dragging me into another room throwing me in "Don't lose your bag" he said. There were a few other girls in here all using the pay phones or getting stuff from the vending machines. Some girls were working out on the gym equipment and some were watching TV. I stood there not knowing what to do. A pretty brunette girl walks over to me. "Hey, newbie you're the girl they held down last night and beat up. What are you doing in segro?" She said. "Ummm I was thrown in here for causing trouble" I answered. "You've got to be fucken kidding, fucken pricks," she said. I flinched because I thought she was going to beat me too. Trust no one. "What's your name?" She asked. "Matilda" I answered, "what's yours?". "I'm Jackie, girl you got dollars on your head. People are out to get you, you need to learn to fight otherwise you won't survive. The screws in here if paid enough look the other way and I'm guessing someone is paying big if you ended up in Segro and not Beth the chick who beat you" Jackie said. I just nodded, I knew my family would pay them to look the other way.

Jackie and I continued to talk for a bit and she agreed that she would help me learn to fight during the hour time I get out of my cell each day. She is in segro for 3 weeks for being caught smoking. Once the hour was up the guards cleared everyone out and escorted them back to their cells while I was dragged by my hair again and thrown in my room. I could hear Jackie screaming at the guard or screw as she called them to let me go but the guard threatened her with extra segro time if she didn't keep her mouth shut. For the next 23 hours, I was locked in my cell and given food through my door. That hour a day out Jackie taught me to fight. For three weeks she trained me. Then she was back in regular population while I remained in Segro being abused by the guards daily. Some days I didn't even get any food but I kept my head down. The hour a day out I would train just like Jackie taught me. It had been 90 days in segro, three fucken months of being locked in a cell the size of a matchbox 23 hours a day.

Day 91 of segro and the door was opened by the guard Greg. I had not received any food today or actually for 4 days so I was barely able to get up. The only water I had was in the hour I was out of my cell a day so I was probably dehydrated too. Greg rushed over to me with Jenny and helped me up. I couldn't stand up though. The beating I had received last night from the guard hurt like a bitch. My lip was busted and I probably had a broken jaw. My ribs were busted and I think I broke my hand smashing the fucker in the face. Greg picked me up and I was barely conscious at this stage and was so dizzy. I just wanted to sleep so I began closing my eyes. "Don't close your eyes, Matilda, you keep them open" someone said. I just smiled. Please when do I do what I'm told? My eyes closed and everything went black.

Beep, beep, beep. I slowly opened my eyes. What the hell? I looked to my side and could see a heart monitor and an IV. What the fuck? I look to the other side and Greg is sitting talking to the doctor and Jenny. Greg looked up at me and motioned to the doctor and Jenny who both turned to see I was awake. The doctor stood up and said "Welcome back Matilda. How are you feeling?" "Just peachy you know. I love a good beating to start my day" I replied. "Care to tell us what happened?" Greg asked. "Why? So you can run back to my family and tell them they are getting to me?" I spat. "What?" Jenny asked. "Come on, I'm not stupid. I heard the guards talking. I know that some of you are being paid to break me. I also know I'm never getting out of segregation. Why did you bring me to the hospital? I'm not allowed medical treatment" I asked.

The doctor, Jenny and Greg looked at me before Greg finally spoke, "The guards who were paid have been fired. You should never have been in Segro and it's not on the records. I couldn't find you anywhere and discovered you when someone named Jackie was asking a few guards about your whereabouts. I spoke to the chief and he sent me to segro to get you out. The guards who assaulted you are being charged but they won't implicate your family at all". I kept staring at him like he had two heads. "I am sorry about what they did to you Matilda but we want to help get you out of here for good. You need to tell us what happened. Jenny here will be your lawyer" Greg said.

Do I trust these people? Can they get me out? What did I have to lose right? It's only been three months and I am barely surviving in here. I just nod and say "Fine I'll tell you everything but first, why am I here?" The doctor went on to explain how when I was brought into the hospital wing I was dehydrated and malnourished. I had 4 cracked ribs and a fractured jaw plus multiple bruises littering my body. I would be spending at least 2 weeks in the hospital to allow my body to mend. Then it was my turn so I began.

"So I will start at the beginning, on the 5th of August my mum and I had decided to have a girl's day. She was taking me out of school that day just because she wanted to spend time with me. We hadn't told my brothers or father because they wouldn't allow it. My mum and I were heading down the stairs hand in hand when Harry my father's friend came out of nowhere and shoved my mother in the back causing her to tumble over the railing and fall. She landed on her head while I screamed. My father came running and saw my mother at the bottom of the stairs. I was frozen. Harry started screaming at me asking me how I could do that to my mother. Everything was a mess. Within minutes police and ambulance officers were flooding our house. My mother was pronounced dead at the scene and I was arrested. Harry gave a statement implicating me. I spent hours at the police station by myself. None of my family came for me. No lawyer was sent so I was given a legal aid attorney. I was charged with the murder of my mother. I couldn't speak as I was frozen in shock about what Harry had done. Harry picked me up from the police station and told me none of my family believed me and I was going to suffer for his entertainment. He dropped me to my home and that's when the abuse started. I was ignored and degraded by my family and after a few days, the abuse started. First, it was a few slaps and then it got worse. The night before my trial my father punched me in the face when he asked why I did it and, why I killed my mother. When I said I was innocent and that it was Harry he punched me and told me I was pathetic and deserved everything I got. He told me he disowned me and I was a disgrace to my family. My legal aid lawyer refused to listen to me about getting the camera footage from my home to see what happened and never questioned any of the witnesses in court nor did he call me to the stand to defend myself. Once I was sent here I was beaten the first night as a welcome from my family and then you all know the rest" I said.

It was quiet for a few minutes and Jenny had tears in her eyes. "Right well this time I am going to be your lawyer and I'm filing a suit to get you out of here" Jenny said. "If we do this I want to also be emancipated from my family. I will never forgive them for what they have done to me. I rather be in here than out there with them" I say. "Are you sure?" Jenny asks. "Yep they are no longer my family" I said. "Right well first things first. You will be put in the normal population. Try to stay out of trouble as much as you can so you don't get in trouble, that will help with the case to get you out of here before a retrial. Second, you will start school so you can show you are of good character and thirdly we will be meeting twice a week to discuss your case. I will gather evidence and build it from there" said Jenny. "How long will this take?" I ask. "Could be weeks, could be months. I'm not sure if we can get the footage from your family then you could be out in days" Jenny said. I won't hold my breath.

Three years and three months it has taken to get the footage from my so-called family. Today we are in court. Jenny and Greg will be with me. They brought me some clothes to wear for the hearing. I'm currently getting ready to head over to the court. I have changed into a black dress and some black ballet flats. My hair Jackie put in two braids for me. In the years I have been in juvie, Jackie has been in and out. She is back in for drug possession. We became close. We are both 17. She turns 18 in two weeks, me I'll be 18 in April next year. Today November 10th is the day I prove my innocence. My family was ordered to provide the footage in court today or they will be charged with murder. They have attempted to block me each and every time we try to prove my innocence.

I have grown a lot while I was juvie, I am now 5ft 6 and have an hourglass figure just like my mother. God, I wish she were here. I hope she is proud of me. I finished sitting my HSC while in juvie and am waiting on the release of my ATAR. I want to help kids like me and become a legal aid lawyer. Jenny and Greg helped me when they could. During our sessions each week Jenny tutored me and helped me write my application for early entry to my law degree. I was accepted on the grounds I was found innocent. If I get out today Jenny is going to file for emancipation immediately and ask for a protection order for me against my so-called family. Once that is done she will take me to Centrelink and then has secured me a place with youth off the street. We have already applied for housing with the uni. I will never step back into that house with those people.

Over the years in juvie, they didn't know that the people they sent to beat me were jailed as the case was kept out of the public eye for my safety. Don't get me wrong juvie wasn't easy. I still got into fights and have had to defend myself like the other day I was stabbed by a chick for supposedly using her shampoo. After a while, people knew not to mess with me. Greg kept an eye on the guards and so did the chief. The chief was now an older woman who also helped me with the HSC, she was transferred in 2 years ago and when she heard my story she made it her mission to vet all guards and try to stamp out the corruption. I worked in the kitchen to earn money for essentials. We had to buy up once a week where we could buy toiletries and underwear plus extra food and a few luxuries. Most families pay into inmates' accounts so they can make phone calls and buy stuff but not mine. Jenny paid money in for my birthday and Christmas but I never expected her to. She also brought heaps of snacks from the vending machines during our visits. She and Greg were the only two people I had a connection within the outside world.

I scan my card and head to the transport with the other girls going to court today. Some will be heading back together and some may be heading home. Me, I don't know where I will be heading. I don't have a home anymore. I am just hoping for freedom. Freedom from juvie, freedom from my family and freedom from my mind. Though freedom from my mind will be hard. About a year ago I was diagnosed with PTSD. I get nightmares that feel so real and panic attacks. The psychiatrist who diagnosed me was very kind. He assured me that it was normal for someone like me to react the way I did after what I was put through. He forms part of the evidence for my case against my family. Not only is Jenny filing against the state if I am acquitted today, but she will be filing a case against my family, Harry and also the juvenile detention centre I was held at.

Greg managed to find footage of what I was put through for the first three months. As Jenny said, "shit will hit the fan today". Sometimes I just want it all over so I can get on with my life. But then I remember what I was put through and people need to be held accountable for their actions. I don't want revenge, I just want justice. If my family sign the emancipation papers without drama then I will walk away from the other lawsuits against them. I just want them out of my life.

I hadn't realised we were at the court until one of the other girls Jessie tapped me on the shoulder. I move towards the exit with the other girls and am taken under the court to the cells. Jenny is waiting for me and is wearing a huge smile. "We have the footage," she says. I just nod. "Your family is here in the courtroom. Shit has already hit the fan as they watched the footage before handing it over. They are calling for you to be immediately let go. Harry was arrested and is in a holding cell. You ready for show time" she said.

Just as she finished one of the guards from the court came in calling my name. He opened the cell and took off my cuffs leading Jenny and me up to the courtroom. I stopped in front of the door asking for a minute. "You ok Tilly?" Jenny asked. "I don't know if I can do this. I don't know if I can face them" I replied. "You got this Til, you go in there hold your head up high and show them the bad bitch I know you can be. Don't let them break you now" Jenny said.

Jenny and I became close during my time in juvie. She was like a big sister to me. She told me all about her life and listened to me when I was at my lowest. She was a mum when I needed it. She talked me through my first period and also hugged me while I broke down. I took a deep breath, nodded to Jenny and then followed Jenny into the court with my head held high and a neutral look on my face. I got this I repeated to myself.

Jenny headed over to the defendant's table with me following close behind. She took her spot at the table and motioned for me to sit behind her. My father and brothers were standing behind the table watching me but I refused to look at them. The lawyer for the prosecution came over to speak with Jenny about what was happening. I kept my eyes on the front where the judge was going to be sitting. I could feel all their eyes on me but I won't let them get to me.

"All rise for the honourable Judge Brown," said the court worker. We all stood and then bowed our heads when the judge walked in before he took a seat. We all sat down before the court worker called my case. A man who was with my father stood and said "I'm James Black, I'm Miss Matilda Wilson's attorney". I swung around just as Jenny stood up and said "Your honour I am Jenny Murphy, I have been Matilda's lawyer for three years and have brought this case to the court". "Your honour, I am the family lawyer for the Wilsons and will be taking over the case as per her father's wishes," the man said.

"Matilda is 17 and has assisted me with bringing this case to court. I believe the court should allow her to decide who she would like to represent her" Jenny said. "Miss Wilson, who will be representing you here today?" The judge asked. "Ms Jenny Murphy is my lawyer your honour" I replied. He nodded and said, "Proceed Ms Murphy". Mr Black began to talk over Jenny but the judge boomed "Mr Black this is my courtroom and you will be removed if you do not sit down and remain quiet". Jenny then proceeded to talk to the judge. I zoned out I didn't want to hear the entire case be rehashed. "Miss Matilda Wilson the court would like to apologise for the mistake it made 4 years ago sentencing you to juvenile detention. You are hereby released and are free to go". I just nodded.

Everyone stood to leave before Jenny said "Your honour I would like to draw your attention to the cases which were filed this morning. These are urgent and need directions immediately". I remained seated, this would determine what happens next for me and I'm hoping that he rules in my favour for now. "Ms Murphy I briefly read the outlines and believe these cases require further examination before I can make a ruling. The other party also has a right to defend themselves in these matters. These cases will need to be served on the other party but I will grant temporary protection orders" the judge said.

My supposed family had no idea what was about to happen and for the first time in a while, I was happy. This meant freedom. "Miss Matilda Wilson do you understand what is happening?" the judge asked "Yes your honour" I replied, "and it is your wish to have these orders put in place?" The judge asked "Yes your honour" I replied. "I hereby grant a temporary order of protection for Miss Matilda Wilson. Mr Wilson and his sons are to remain 100 meters away from her and her place of residence. We will adjourn for 2 weeks where further evidence will be given, the court dismissed". The judge declared before all hell broke loose.

Mr Black was calling the judge to overturn his ruling while my brothers and father were yelling about me being a minor. Jenny stood up and walked to Mr Black serving him with my cases against my family and beckoned me to follow her. I walked to Jenny and attempted to leave the courtroom but was stopped by Ethan grabbing my arm. "Matty, we want you home," he said. I looked at his hand holding my arm. All my family were now staring at me and him with Jenny in front of me watching what I was doing. She knew I wanted to handle it myself to show them I wasn't the weak little girl they once knew. "Get your hands off me" I stated in an ice-cold tone staring into his eyes with all the hatred I felt for these people. Ethan dropped my hand as Greg stood up walking next to me. He and the rest of my so-called family looked shocked. What did they expect from me after everything they did to me? That I would run into their arms like nothing had happened? Hell no these people are nothing to me.

Jenny and I walked out of the court to the waiting media who had picked up the case and reported how I was wrongly imprisoned for over 4 years for a crime I didn't commit. Jenny had prepared me for this. This was my time to shine and start my own life away from every one of those people who hurt me. We stopped at the reporters while Jenny spoke about the cases she had filed against the state and the juvenile detention centre. I watched as my family came out stopping to hear Jenny speak. Mr Black stopped my father from coming near me. Greg was standing next to me and whispered "You ok there Tilly" I just nodded waiting to speak to the media. Jenny motioned me over and now it was my turn to speak.

"I just want to thank Jenny my lawyer for all the work she has put in and to Greg for helping stop the abuse in juvenile detention" I said. A reporter shouted, "Matilda is it true you have filed a protection order against your father and brothers?". I look at Jenny who nods at me "Yes I have" I reply. The same reporter shouts "Why is that and how does it feel to be proven innocent even when your own family thought you were guilty?". " I have filed a protection order for my safety. My family was my mother who was murdered by Harry. I do not have any other family. What those people did to me and had other people do to me is unforgivable. As you are aware I was abused and beaten daily in juvie and that was orchestrated by those people. That is not family. I have filed several suites against all those involved and I will not rest until I get justice for myself and for my mother" I stated before nodding at Jenny.

Mr Black stepped to the microphone and the questions started flying towards him "What do the Wilsons have to say about the protection order that Matilda filed against them? What do they have to say about the abuse allegations? How do they feel about Matilda being found innocent after they all helped convict her?" Mr Black held his hand up and spoke which seemed to be a speech he had put together "At this time the Wilson family ask for privacy while these matters are dealt with. The family is happy to have Matilda found innocent and would like to be given the time and space to get to know her again. We will be fighting against the protection order as we believe that Matilda needs her family's support to help her move on from this. We will also support her in filing a case against the state for wrongful imprisonment". My family had moved closer to me by this time however Greg and Jenny positioned themselves between me and them before moving me along to an awaiting car to get me the hell out of here.