Resources to assist legal practitioners
The Women’s Safety and Justice Taskforce has now handed two reports to the Attorney-General.
Its first report, Hear her voice, outlined how best to legislate against coercive control. The report makes 89 recommendations to the Queensland Government about essential reforms required to the domestic violence service and justice systems, as well as a four-phase plan that includes a comprehensive suite of legislative reforms.
The Queensland Government is supportive or supportive-in-principle of all of the Taskforce's 89 recommendations. The taskforce included recommendations for Queensland Law Society in volume 3 of the Hear her voice report (p. 603-615, items 39-40, 42, 44-47). QLS President Kara Thomson advised Attorney-General Shannon Fentiman in January that we support, or support in principle, all of the recommendations directed at QLS. The Society is pleased to share the steps to be taken in response to the taskforce recommendations.
The Taskforce's second report, Hear her voice 2, examines and reviews the experiences of women and girls across Queensland's criminal justice system. This report makes 188 recommendations to the Queensland Government for reforms to improve women and girls' experiences of the criminal justice system as victim-survivors of sexual assault and also as accused persons and offenders.
The Queensland Government has tabled its response to the second report. It supports 103 recommendations, supports in principle 71 recommendations, and has noted 14 recommendations.
Support services
DVConnect is a 24-hour crisis support line. Phone 1800 811 811
DVConnect Mensline is a support service for men experiencing or using domestic and family violence. Phone 1800 600 636
If you identify as non-binary, you can call the service you feel most comfortable contacting.
Mensline Australia is a 24-hour counselling service for men using or experiencing family violence. Phone 1300 789 978
Kids Helpline is a 24-hour counselling service for young people aged 5 to 25. Phone 1800 55 1800
Suicide Call Back Service is a 24-hour crisis and counselling line for anyone who is feeling suicidal or worried about someone. Phone 1300 659 467
QLS responds to DFV taskforce recommendations
Queensland Law Society has responded to the seven QLS-specific recommendations in the 'Hear her voice' report. QLS President Kara Thomson said that QLS enthusiastically welcomes the opportunity to work with the Government in implementing the recommendations.
Read the response2022 Federal Election Call to Parties Statement
The Call to Parties Statement canvasses the views of the political parties and candidates on the issues perceived to be critical to the effective delivery of justice to the Australian community. 'Addressing violence against women and their children' can be found on page 7.
Read the statementQLS's response to the Taskforce's Discussion Paper 3
Discussion Paper 3 sought community feedback on women and girls’ experience of sexual violence in the criminal justice system, as well as the experience of women and girls as offenders.
Read the responseQLS's response to the Taskforce's Discussion Paper 1
Discussion Paper 1 sought community opinion on how best to legislate against coercive control as a form of domestic and family violence. The paper also examines the need to create a new offence of ‘commit domestic violence’ in Queensland law and offers a range of options for discussion.
Read the responseQLS Resources
Resources to support practitioners in dealing with domestic and family violence, personally or professionally.
LawCare
LawCare is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. QLS members can use this service to access confidential support to help navigate issues in both their personal and professional lives.
A specialised Domestic and Family Violence Helpline is available on 1300 338 465
More information
QLS Domestic and Family Violence Best Practice Guidelines
Bringing together the combined expertise of QLS and Legal Aid Queensland, the collaborative framework will help all legal practitioners in dealing with legal matters where domestic and family violence (DFV) is identified.
Family Law Accredited Specialists
A Family Law Accredited Specialist has a minimum of 5 years' post-qualification experience and ongoing substantial involvement in family law. They are recognised as leaders in the profession and are experienced in delivering exceptional client service.
Find out more
QLS Domestic and Family Violence Committee
QLS committees carry out a wide range of functions, including assisting Council with advice and developing policy. The committees also provide a forum for the consideration of practical problems being experienced by members, and as a source of information on various issues for dissemination to members.
Click the button below to get in contact about a DFV legal policy issue.
Contact the DFV Committee
Videos
Education
QLS Symposium 2022 - Family Stream
Access all session recordings from the 2022 Family stream:
• DV 101: Best practice for beginners
• Super(annuation) heroes: Splitting the difference
• Court changes 6 months on: The new normal?
• A year in review: Have You Been Paying Attention?
Go to the QLS ShopQLS Family Law Conference 2022
The QLS Family Law Conference is the premier professional development event for Family Law practitioners in Queensland, offering both plenary and track sessions exploring this multidisciplinary, diverse and challenging space.
The conference provides relevant, practical and meaningful development opportunities for all practitioners in the Family Law space, from early career lawyers to accredited specialists.
Go to the QLS Shop
Articles
First-stage coercive control laws pass Parliament
The Domestic and Family Violence Protection (Combating Coercive Control) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2022 was passed in Parliament yesterday and is the first of an expected suite of reforms aimed at combating non-physical forms of domestic and family violence (DFV).
Read the article on QLS ProctorLegal Aid granted $18.6 million to protect DFV victims
Legal Aid Queensland (LAQ) is to receive $18.6 million over the next four years to ensure that victims of domestic and family violence (DFV) are not further victimised by perpetrators in court.
Read the article on QLS ProctorNew paid family and domestic violence leave is now available
Employees of non-small business employers can now access 10 days of paid family and domestic violence leave in a 12-month period. Employees of small businesses can access the leave from 1 August 2023.
Read more from the Fair Work OmbudsmanReport slams police misogyny, sexism and racism in DFV responses
A report into Queensland police responses to domestic violence has found “ample evidence” of a culture where attitudes of misogyny, sexism and racism have existed for years.
Read the article on QLS ProctorWWILD to launch sexual assault reporting resources
Community support organisation WWILD will launch a series of video resources later this month to help victims of sexual assault report the assault to police. The series is created by, and targeted at, people with intellectual disabilities.
Read the article on QLS ProctorCoercive control reforms introduced in Parliament
The Domestic and Family Violence Protection (Combating Coercive Control) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2022 was tabled in Parliament on Friday and is the first of an expected suite of reforms aimed at combating non-physical forms of domestic and family violence (DFV).
Read the article on QLS ProctorAward recognises heroes on the DFV prevention frontline
Nominations for the Dame Quentin Bryce Domestic Violence Prevention Award 2022 have now opened.
The award recognises a legal professional who has demonstrated a significant contribution and dedication to the prevention of domestic violence in Queensland.
Read the article on QLS ProctorQHRC recommends anti-discrimination reforms
Queensland Human Rights Commission (QHRC) Commissioner Scott McDougall said the review of the Queensland Anti-Discrimination Act (1991) included 46 recommendations to strengthen and clarify discrimination law, including the extension to people experiencing homelessness and victims/survivors of domestic and family violence.
Read the article on QLS ProctorAIJA offers coercive control resources
The Australasian Institute of Judicial Administration (AIJA), which publishes and maintains the National Domestic and Family Violence Bench Book, has advised that a new chapter on coercive control has been added to the publication.
Read the article on QLS ProctorBumper justice budget for Queensland
The Queensland State Budget for 2022-23 has included a number of highlights for the legal profession, including delivery of the many commitments arising from the ‘Hear Her Voice’ report.
Read the article on QLS ProctorReport evaluates our first DFV court
An independent report evaluating the Special Domestic and Family Violence Court Trial in Southport found the court’s ability to provide sustained support, information and legal advice for victims and perpetrators was vital to access courts and improve justice experiences for victims.
Read the article on QLS ProctorEnding DFV 'will take the whole community'
Throughout the month of May, Queensland has observed ‘Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month’ to raise awareness of domestic and family violence (DFV) within the community and drive home the message that DFV will not be tolerated.
Read the article on QLS Proctor$363 million package to overhaul DFV laws
The Queensland Government today announced a historic overhaul of laws and practices to better protect women from domestic and family violence and hold perpetrators to account.
Read the article on QLS Proctor
External Resources
Magistrates Court Practice Direction No. 4 2022
The purpose of this Practice Direction is to facilitate procedural consistency in the determination of Applications for Domestic Violence Orders under the DV Act while allowing for flexible case-management to ensure justice is done in individual cases.
Read the Practice DirectionQueensland Courts’ domestic and family violence statistics
Data collections cover three topics: applications for domestic violence protection orders (DVOs) lodged, DVOs made, and criminal charges lodged relating to DFV. Figures are provided for larger court locations as well as statewide totals.
See the statisticsQueensland Court domestic and family violence forms
These are all the forms specific to domestic and family violence.
View the formsFair Work's Employer guide to family and domestic violence
This guide is designed to help employers understand their workplace obligations and support employees experiencing family and domestic violence.
Read the guideeSafety Commissioner learning and professional development program
eSafety delivers a free learning and development program to upskill frontline workers who support people experiencing technology-facilitated abuse.
Access the programANROWS webinar program
he ANROWS webinar program brings together policymakers, practice designers, practitioners, and women with lived expertise of violence to discuss research findings and key policy issues relevant to preventing and responding to violence against women and children.
Find out moreCLCQ webinar Understanding and responding to coercive control
Addressing coercive control and domestic and family violence in Queensland
Find out more
Support Services
DV Connect
We help Queenslanders find pathways to safety, away from domestic, family and sexual violence. We provide emergency transport and accommodation for your entire family including pets. We also provide safety planning, crisis counselling, intervention, information and referrals at no cost to you. We operate bridging accommodation residence Bella's Sanctuary, a safe haven for victim survivors to heal and rebuild their lives. We also educate through our Workplace Domestic and Family Violence Training program.
Kids Helpline
We help Queenslanders find pathways to safety, away from domestic, family and sexual violence. We provide emergency transport and accommodation for your entire family including pets. We also provide safety planning, crisis counselling, intervention, information and referrals at no cost to you. We operate bridging accommodation residence Bella's Sanctuary, a safe haven for victim survivors to heal and rebuild their lives. We also educate through our Workplace Domestic and Family Violence Training program.
Legal Aid QLD
1300 65 11 88 (Mon-Fri 8.30am-4.30pm)
We give legal help to financially disadvantaged people about criminal, family and civil law matters.
Victim Assist
We help victims of violent crime (including domestic and family violence) to recover. We can help you know your rights, find support and claim financial assistance.
DV Connect Mensline
1800 600 636 (9am-midnight, 7 days)
DVConnect Mensline is a free, confidential telephone counselling, referral, information and support, service for Queenslanders identifying as male, and who may be experiencing or using domestic and family violence.
Lifeline
Every 30 seconds, a person in Australia reaches out to Lifeline for help.
We are a national charity providing all Australians experiencing emotional distress with access to 24 hour crisis support and suicide prevention services.
We exist so that no person in Australia has to face their darkest moments alone.
Women's Legal Service QLD
1800 957 957 (Mon-Fri 9am-3pm)
Women’s Legal Service Queensland (WLS) provides free legal and social work help with domestic violence, complex family law and sexual assault notes counselling privilege matters to women and people who live and identify as women in Queensland.
Priority is given to women with safety risks and those experiencing multiple forms of disadvantage.
For the safety and comfort of our clients WLS is a women’s only space. LGBTIQ friendly.
North QLD Women's Legal Service
1800 244 504 (free legal advice line)
With offices in both Townsville and Cairns, we assist women from Sarina in the south, to the Torres Strait in the north and west to the Northern Territory border.
Although we can provide information and/or referrals in any area of law, we primarily provide legal advice and assistance in the areas of family law (including divorce, parenting, financial/property settlement and child support issues), domestic and family violence, child protection, sexual assault, human rights, discrimination and Victim Assist.
1800RESPECT
We know that talking about sexual, domestic and family violence can be hard. When you contact 1800RESPECT, you will talk to a trained counsellor who will listen and support you in what feels right for you and your situation.
We will work with you to help you identify what you can do and to find the right services or support for you. Everyone's situation is different and no one knows your situation better than you.
Suicide Call Back Service
We can help anyone who is affected by suicide, which includes:
- Anyone who is feeling suicidal
- Anyone who is worried about someone
- Anyone who is caring for someone who is feeling suicidal
- Anyone who has lost someone to suicide
- Health professionals supporting people who are affected by suicide.
QLD Indigenous Family Violence Legal Support
1800 88 77 00
(Mon-Thu 8.30am-5pm
Friday 8.30am-4pm)
We are a free legal service for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people affected by family violence or sexual assault. We were established to deliver culturally appropriate services across Queensland.
Immigrant Women's Support Service
07 3846 3490 (Mon-Fri 9am-4pm)
The Immigrant Women's Support Service is a specialist service response for immigrant and refugee women from non-English speaking background and their children who have experienced domestic and/or sexual violence.
Mensline Australia
MensLine Australia offers free professional 24/7 telephone counselling support for men with concerns about mental health, anger management, family violence (using and experiencing), addiction, relationship, stress and wellbeing.
Beyond Blue
We all have good days and bad days. Then there are those days when something isn't quite right, you've got something on your mind, or things just seem too much. Whatever it may be, it can make a real difference having someone to talk to. To hear what you have to say. And to give you advice. So, no matter who you are, or how you're feeling, reach out to us for support – we'll point you in the right direction so you can get the help you need.
Women Lawyers Association of Queensland
Women Lawyers Association of Queensland Inc (WLAQ) is an organisation dedicated to women who are jurists, practising professionals, legal academics, legal graduates and students of law.
As an association of professionals we seek to help members directly and indirectly by:
- Raising awareness and proposing changes on issues facing women in law
- Advocating for appointments on merit
- Providing resources around flexible working arrangements
- Liaising with other peak bodies including the Bar Association of Queensland and Queensland Law Society
- Supporting mentoring and guiding of more junior members
- Organising events to provide networking and educational opportunities