For more than two decades, Kathleen Folbigg was confronted by a wall of anger and hatred.
Once branded Australia's worst female serial killer, the 56-year-old was vindicated on Thursday when an appeal court quashed her convictions for killing her four children following a long legal fight.
"The time this has taken has cost many people a lot, not just financially but emotionally," Ms Folbigg said after the court decision.
"For almost a quarter of a century, I faced disbelief and hostility.
"I suffered abuse in all its forms."
Ms Folbigg spent more than two decades in jail after being convicted of three counts of murder and one count of manslaughter following the deaths of her children between 1989 and 1999.
She successfully appealed against her convictions after scientific discoveries in genetics and cardiology cast doubt on her guilt following an inquiry into her verdicts.
Speaking alongside friend and long-term supporter Tracy Chapman, Ms Folbigg said the text of her journals - controversially used at trial to show her guilt - were cherry-picked, taken out of context and turned against her.
"I hope that no one else will ever have to suffer what I suffered," she said.
Ms Folbigg paused to hold back tears before she thanked the people behind the scientific advancements that exonerated her.
"I am grateful that updated science and genetics has given me answers as to how my children died however even in 1999, we had legal answers.
"The system preferred to blame me rather than accept that sometimes children die suddenly, unexpectedly and heartbreakingly.
"My children are here with me today and they will be close to my heart for the rest of my life."
Although thankful for her freedom, Ms Folbigg called attention to the plights of others who had been wrongfully imprisoned.
"We need to be humble and open to improving the system to ensure truth is revealed, because truth and correct legal outcomes matter," she said.
