By Taylah Eastwell
Ringwood will soon be home to a specialist family violence court.
Announced on Thursday 20 May as part of the 2021-22 state budget, the news has been welcomed by Eastern Community Legal Centre, who have advocated for the establishment of a family violence specific court for over 15 years.
Ringwood was chosen alongside a number of other locations across the state, following a recommendation from the 2016 Royal Commission into Family Violence that specialist family violence courts be established at 14 court locations across Victoria.
Funding was allocated in 2017 for the first five court locations, with Ringwood forming part of the second round of funding.
The court is expected to provide tailored services and a safer environment for victims of family violence by specially trained court staff as well as access to support services. The specialist courts allow for separate waiting areas, new processes to increase efficiency and consistent practices across courts to allow for state-wide norms in relation to family violence sentencing outcomes.
Magistrates also have specialised powers to mandate counselling, such as men’s behaviour change programs.
A spokesperson from Eastern Community Legal Centre (ECLC) said the establishment of a Specialist Family Violence Court in Ringwood is a major achievement.
“The 2016 Royal Commission recommended this approach and ECLC has been advocating for it locally for over 15 years,” the spokesperson said.
The court will allow family violence matters to proceed in a way informed by experts with holistic support.
“This will improve outcomes and reduce the impact of legal proceedings for individuals and families,” the spokesperson said.
ECLC is also welcoming news that two new Orange Door Netwook facilities are set to open in the eastern suburbs in the next 12 months.
The Orange Door Network was also a recommendation from the 2016 Royal Commission into Family Violence, providing simple access to support for adults, children and young people experiencing family violence.
Since opening in 2018, more than 100,000 Victorians have received help and support from the network, which brings together services so that individuals don’t need to retell their story at multiple service providers in order to have their needs met.
“Establishing legal assistance within the Orange Door Network is also a big step forward. This will improve outcomes and reduce harm for those seeking support,” the ECLC spokesperson said.
The Budget will also see additional legal assistance provided to people with mental health issues, communities affected by bushfires, victims of crime, and LGBTIQ+ Victorians. These are all groups where targeted legal and social support will have a major impact in improving people’s lives.
ECLC has a range of services and community partnerships that work in these areas and is awaiting further details on how budget commitments will impact their work.
ECLC CEO, Michael Smith said the new funding would strengthen community legal help for around one million people through Melbourne’s eastern suburbs and the Yarra Valley.
“This Budget will enable people to get the legal and social support they need in order to be safe and to resolve a range of issues impacting on their health and wellbeing,” he said.
“Eastern CLC is fortunate to have a number of local MPs who actively advocate for community members in need of legal and social support. We would like to thank them for taking the time to understand these issues and making sure these community voices were heard during the budget process.
Despite these positive announcements, ECLC and other community legal centres remain unable to meet the ever-increasing demand for legal help.
“Eastern CLC and the legal assistance sector will continue the conversation with Attorney-General Symes and the Victorian Government about the importance of bridging the remaining gaps in access for Victorians in need for legal and social support through core CLC funding and new health justice partnerships,” Mr Smith said.
