DVIRC Annual Family Law Forum

Behind Closed Doors: Family Dispute Resolution and Family Violence

Recent changes to family law have meant that from July 1st 2007, family dispute resolution is compulsory before a parenting dispute can be taken to court. While there is an exemption for family violence, it is evident that many women who have experienced violence will undertake dispute resolution.

This forum will explore the implications of the new family law system's emphasis on FDR for women and children affected by family violence.

Speakers include:

Professor Hilary Astor, University of Sydney Law School

Bec Jolly, Community Development Coordinator & Rina Adamopoulos, Manager, Ringwood Family Relationship Centre

Leanne Abela, Family Lawyer, Pearsons Barristers and Solicitors

Dr Debbie Kirkwood, Domestic Violence & Incest Resource Centre

9.00am - 1.00pm
Tuesday
June 19th
Melbourne Town Hall

Forum cost: $20. For further information forum see our flier and registration form (pdf) .

Launch of the new DVIRC Discussion Paper

'BEHIND CLOSED DOORS'
Family Dispute Resolution and Family Violence

This paper explores family dispute resolution (FDR) in the context of family violence in the new family law system. The paper includes:

• the pros and cons with FDR
• risks with using FDR in family violence cases
• ways FDR services can respond to family violence
• screening and risk assessment for family violence
• specialised FDR formats
• recommendations.

The Discussion Paper will be launched at the Annual DVIRC Family Law forum on the 19th June. For further information about the forum see the flier. Copies of the paper will be available at half price, $10 (normally $20).

Go to the DVIRC Website for order forms and the executive summary for the Discussion Paper.

New Research Report

Allegations of Family Violence and Child Abuse in Family Law Children's Proceedings, A pre-reform exploratory study.

This report published by the Australian Institute of Family Studies, reports on the findings of a study commissioned by the Federal Attorney-General's Department. It examines the prevalence and nature of allegations of family violence and child abuse in family law proceedings. The report highlights that over half of Family Court matters involve family violence and/or child abuse. DVIRC we will be writing a response to the report for the DVIRC Quarterly Spring Newsletter.

Copies of the report are available at www.aifs.gov.au

Multilingual Resources

DVIRC has released an updated version of the popular booklet 'Is someone you know being abused in a relationship? A guide for family and friends', in English, Arabic, Chinese, Russian and Serbian. 

The booklet contains information on abuse in relationships, including definitions, warning signs, practical strategies for help and contact details for Victorian services. It is an excellent, easy to read and non-confronting resource for women who may be experiencing violence as well as their friends and families.  DVIRC also has copies of the booklet available in Vietnamese, Turkish, Somali and Spanish. We can send a sample of up to 10 booklets free of charge.

To order copies please download the publications order form or download copies on our website

Integrated Family Violence Services Practice Forum: Responding to Children and Young People affected by Family Violence

9.15am - 4.30pm
Tuesday July 31st 2007
Melbourne Town Hall

Key note speakers include:

Professor Cathy Humphreys, University of Melbourne

Robyn Miller, Child Protection, Department of Human Services

This is a free forum presented by the Department of Human Services, Department of Victorian Communities and DVIRC. For further information see the Advance Notice.

DVIRC Training Opportunities

Young People & Family Violence
June 13- 14, Melbourne

Educating the Public about Domestic Violence
June 22, Melbourne

Children and Domestic Violence
June 20-21, Bendigo

For more information go to DVIRC Training Calender or download the registration form here.

New DVIRC Library Resources

Domestic Violence & Child Protection: Directions for good practice, edited by Cathy Humphreys & Nicky Stanley (2006).

This book examines how to respond to adults experiencing violence, whilst also attending to the specific needs of their children.

Supporting Women after Domestic Violence: Loss, Trauma and Recovery, Hilary Abrahams (2007).

THis book provides advice on how to enable women who have experienced domestic violence to embark on a journey of recovery.

These resources are available to the public for loan at the DVIRC library by contacting our librarian on 94869866 or emailing mailto:dvirc@dvirc.org.au

VOCAT Koori Brochures

A Guide to VOCAT (Victims of Crime Assistance Tribunal)
The Aboriginal Family Violence Prevention & Legal Service (FVPLS) has launched a pamphlet for the Koori community about how to get assistance from the Koori VOCAT list, which is aimed at increasing Koori access to awards of assistance from VOCAT. VOCAT provides financial assistance to victims of violent crime.
For copies call FVPLS 9654-3111 or www.fvpls.org

Heather Osland's FOI victory overturned

In 1996 Heather Osland was sentenced to 14.5 years in prison for the killing of her violent husband. Her adult son, who struck the blow that killed Frank Osland, was acquitted. Despite the inconsistency in the verdicts and the widespread community outrage about her case, the State Government refused to grant a Petition of Mercy in 2001.

In an attempt to find out why the Petition was denied, Heather Osland sought access under the Freedom of Information Act in 2001 to documents relating to the decision. The Government refused to provide the documents. Heather took the matter to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) where she won and was granted the right to have access to the documents on the basis of public interest. However last week, 6 years after the original FOI request was made, the Court of Appeal overturned Heather's VCAT victory and now she will not be given access to the documents.

For further information about Heather Osland's case see the Heather Osland Support and Action website.

VicHealth Funded Prevention Project

DVIRC is pleased to announce the success of their recent funding application to VicHealth for the Partners in Prevention (PIP) project. PIP will develop a state-wide network for community sector professionals who are working with young people to prevent violence against women.

The overarching goal of the project is to shape an enabling environment for primary prevention activities within Victoria by providing professional development to workers and giving them an opportunity to share resources, develop partnerships and provide peer support.

We are launching the network with a forum on violence prevention and young people on Thursday 26 July 2007. The forum will include keynote speaker Dr Moira Carmody (University of Western Sydney) who is currently researching the promotion of sexual ethics among young people.

We are seeking expressions of interest from youth focused violence prevention projects to present at the forum. For further information about the forum contact Kiri Bear on 9486 9866 or by email kbear@dvirc.org.au.

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The Domestic Violence & Incest Resource Centre is funded by the Victorian Department of Human Services and works to end all forms of family and relationship violence through education, training, publications, research and advocacy.

Copyright (c) DVIRC 2007
292 Wellington Street, Collingwood 3066, Victoria, AUSTRALIA
http://www.dvirc.org.au/ | Tel: 03 9486 9866 | Fax: 03 9486 9744