Panel: Putting safety first in family law: How the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia is responding to family violence three years on from the commencement of the reforms
Tracks
Room 1: In-Person and Online
| Tuesday, November 26, 2024 |
| 1:45 PM - 2:15 PM |
| Room 1 |
Overview
Hayley Foster, Judge Anna Parker & Janet Carmichael, Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia
Speaker
Anne-Marie Rice
Senior Judicial Registrar
Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia
Putting safety first in family law: How the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia is responding to family violence three years on from the commencement of the reforms
Abstract
There is incontrovertible evidence that the point of separation and the months following present the highest risk time for victim-survivors of family violence escaping that violence, and this risk exacerbates when victim-survivors exercise their rights in the justice system.
With this backdrop, and in circumstances where 83% of parenting matters in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (FCFCOA) involve allegations on family violence, risk and safety are recognised as critical considerations in the work of the Courts.
Come along and listen to a number of the key architects of the reforms to the FCFCOA over the last 3 years as they talk about the series of interventions being implemented from risk screening and assessment, to early referral to essential legal and specialist supports, to information sharing on risk, workforce development, judicial education and policy and practice improvements, as well as sector and court user consultation and codesign. Hear about the challenges and impacts of these evolving changes and how they are combining with the recent amendments to the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth) to promote safer outcomes for children and their caregivers, and how you as member of the family violence sector can provide input and collaborate with the FCFCOA on improved system responses to families impacted by family violence to promote safer processes and outcomes for children and families impacted by family violence.
With this backdrop, and in circumstances where 83% of parenting matters in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (FCFCOA) involve allegations on family violence, risk and safety are recognised as critical considerations in the work of the Courts.
Come along and listen to a number of the key architects of the reforms to the FCFCOA over the last 3 years as they talk about the series of interventions being implemented from risk screening and assessment, to early referral to essential legal and specialist supports, to information sharing on risk, workforce development, judicial education and policy and practice improvements, as well as sector and court user consultation and codesign. Hear about the challenges and impacts of these evolving changes and how they are combining with the recent amendments to the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth) to promote safer outcomes for children and their caregivers, and how you as member of the family violence sector can provide input and collaborate with the FCFCOA on improved system responses to families impacted by family violence to promote safer processes and outcomes for children and families impacted by family violence.
Biography
Senior Judicial Registrar Anne-Marie Rice is a multi-award winning family lawyer and mediator.
She began her career as a Legal Associate in the (then) Family Court in 1998 and has been a past FLPA (Qld) vice-president, an executive member of the Family Law Section of the Law Council of Australia and a former member of various Queensland Law Society Committees including the Specialist Accreditation committee.
She joined the Courts in July 2020 and, as a senior member of the Courts’ leadership team, is responsible for the expansion of the Court’s dispute resolution programs and Registrar work practices nationally.
Senior Judicial Registrar Rice has been delivering local, national and international key note addresses, conference papers and workshops for lawyers and non-lawyers for over 20 years.
She has a philosophy that “conflict can be resolved without combat” and her acceptance speech after being named the 2018 WLAQ Woman Lawyer of the Year, powerfully explored the unhelpful impact of combative legal practice.
Anne-Marie taught the undergraduate Family Law subject at the University of Queensland for many years prior to joining the Court and she continues to teach both undergraduate and post graduate Dispute Resolution courses at that university.
Janet Carmichael
Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia
Putting safety first in family law: How the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia is responding to family violence three years on from the commencement of the reforms
2:10 PM - 2:40 PMAbstract
There is incontrovertible evidence that the point of separation and the months following present the highest risk time for victim-survivors of family violence escaping that violence, and this risk exacerbates when victim-survivors exercise their rights in the justice system.
With this backdrop, and in circumstances where 83% of parenting matters in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (FCFCOA) involve allegations on family violence, risk and safety are recognised as critical considerations in the work of the Courts.
Come along and listen to a number of the key architects of the reforms to the FCFCOA over the last 3 years as they talk about the series of interventions being implemented from risk screening and assessment, to early referral to essential legal and specialist supports, to information sharing on risk, workforce development, judicial education and policy and practice improvements, as well as sector and court user consultation and codesign. Hear about the challenges and impacts of these evolving changes and how they are combining with the recent amendments to the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth) to promote safer outcomes for children and their caregivers, and how you as member of the family violence sector can provide input and collaborate with the FCFCOA on improved system responses to families impacted by family violence to promote safer processes and outcomes for children and families impacted by family violence.
Key Learnings:
1. Understand the Reforms in Response to Family Violence:
Gain insights into the key interventions and reforms implemented by the FCFCOA over the past three years to address family violence, including risk screening, early referrals, and information sharing on risk.
2. Explore the Impact of Policy and Practice Improvements:
Learn about the challenges and impacts of recent amendments to the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth) and other policy and practice improvements aimed at promoting safer outcomes for children and caregivers in family violence situations.
3. Engage with Collaboration Opportunities with the Family Violence Sector:
Discover how members of the family violence sector can provide input and collaborate with the FCFCOA to enhance system responses, ensuring safer processes and outcomes for families affected by family violence.
With this backdrop, and in circumstances where 83% of parenting matters in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (FCFCOA) involve allegations on family violence, risk and safety are recognised as critical considerations in the work of the Courts.
Come along and listen to a number of the key architects of the reforms to the FCFCOA over the last 3 years as they talk about the series of interventions being implemented from risk screening and assessment, to early referral to essential legal and specialist supports, to information sharing on risk, workforce development, judicial education and policy and practice improvements, as well as sector and court user consultation and codesign. Hear about the challenges and impacts of these evolving changes and how they are combining with the recent amendments to the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth) to promote safer outcomes for children and their caregivers, and how you as member of the family violence sector can provide input and collaborate with the FCFCOA on improved system responses to families impacted by family violence to promote safer processes and outcomes for children and families impacted by family violence.
Key Learnings:
1. Understand the Reforms in Response to Family Violence:
Gain insights into the key interventions and reforms implemented by the FCFCOA over the past three years to address family violence, including risk screening, early referrals, and information sharing on risk.
2. Explore the Impact of Policy and Practice Improvements:
Learn about the challenges and impacts of recent amendments to the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth) and other policy and practice improvements aimed at promoting safer outcomes for children and caregivers in family violence situations.
3. Engage with Collaboration Opportunities with the Family Violence Sector:
Discover how members of the family violence sector can provide input and collaborate with the FCFCOA to enhance system responses, ensuring safer processes and outcomes for families affected by family violence.
Biography
Janet is the Executive Director of the Court Children’s Service in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia. In this role Janet is responsible for the work undertaken by the psychologists and social workers who are engaged by the Court to assist families, registrars and judges make decisions that are in the best interests of children. She is also part of the FCFCOA’s executive group and has an active role in a range of Court initiatives. Prior to taking on this Court role in 2017, Janet held senior positions with CatholicCare Sydney (managing family counselling, mediation and men’s behaviour change programs), Relationships Australia NSW (as the inaugural manager of the Sydney City Family Relationship Centre) and with the Commonwealth Department of Veteran’s Affairs’ Open Arms program. Janet is a registered psychologist with over 30 years’ experience working children and families. She also holds a Master’s degree in management.
Anna Parker
Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia
Panel: Putting safety first in family law: How the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia is responding to family violence three years on from the commencement of the reforms
2:10 PM - 2:40 PMAbstract
There is incontrovertible evidence that the point of separation and the months following present the highest risk time for victim-survivors of family violence escaping that violence, and this risk exacerbates when victim-survivors exercise their rights in the justice system.
With this backdrop, and in circumstances where 83% of parenting matters in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (FCFCOA) involve allegations on family violence, risk and safety are recognised as critical considerations in the work of the Courts.
Come along and listen to a number of the key architects of the reforms to the FCFCOA over the last 3 years as they talk about the series of interventions being implemented from risk screening and assessment, to early referral to essential legal and specialist supports, to information sharing on risk, workforce development, judicial education and policy and practice improvements, as well as sector and court user consultation and codesign. Hear about the challenges and impacts of these evolving changes and how they are combining with the recent amendments to the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth) to promote safer outcomes for children and their caregivers, and how you as member of the family violence sector can provide input and collaborate with the FCFCOA on improved system responses to families impacted by family violence to promote safer processes and outcomes for children and families impacted by family violence.
Key Learnings:
1. Understand the Reforms in Response to Family Violence:
Gain insights into the key interventions and reforms implemented by the FCFCOA over the past three years to address family violence, including risk screening, early referrals, and information sharing on risk.
2. Explore the Impact of Policy and Practice Improvements:
Learn about the challenges and impacts of recent amendments to the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth) and other policy and practice improvements aimed at promoting safer outcomes for children and caregivers in family violence situations.
3. Engage with Collaboration Opportunities with the Family Violence Sector:
Discover how members of the family violence sector can provide input and collaborate with the FCFCOA to enhance system responses, ensuring safer processes and outcomes for families affected by family violence.
With this backdrop, and in circumstances where 83% of parenting matters in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (FCFCOA) involve allegations on family violence, risk and safety are recognised as critical considerations in the work of the Courts.
Come along and listen to a number of the key architects of the reforms to the FCFCOA over the last 3 years as they talk about the series of interventions being implemented from risk screening and assessment, to early referral to essential legal and specialist supports, to information sharing on risk, workforce development, judicial education and policy and practice improvements, as well as sector and court user consultation and codesign. Hear about the challenges and impacts of these evolving changes and how they are combining with the recent amendments to the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth) to promote safer outcomes for children and their caregivers, and how you as member of the family violence sector can provide input and collaborate with the FCFCOA on improved system responses to families impacted by family violence to promote safer processes and outcomes for children and families impacted by family violence.
Key Learnings:
1. Understand the Reforms in Response to Family Violence:
Gain insights into the key interventions and reforms implemented by the FCFCOA over the past three years to address family violence, including risk screening, early referrals, and information sharing on risk.
2. Explore the Impact of Policy and Practice Improvements:
Learn about the challenges and impacts of recent amendments to the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth) and other policy and practice improvements aimed at promoting safer outcomes for children and caregivers in family violence situations.
3. Engage with Collaboration Opportunities with the Family Violence Sector:
Discover how members of the family violence sector can provide input and collaborate with the FCFCOA to enhance system responses, ensuring safer processes and outcomes for families affected by family violence.
Biography
Judge Anna Parker is a judge of the Adelaide registry of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2). Prior to her appointment, her Honour sat as a Senior Judicial Registrar. Before joining the Court, her Honour practised both as a barrister and as a solicitor in the area of family law and was an Accredited Family Law Specialist and a partner of a specialist family law firm. Her Honour holds a Master of Laws and a Doctorate in the area of family law. Her Honour has authored a family law looseleaf service, co-authored a family law textbook and has been published on a wide range of family law topics.
Hayley Foster
Director of Family Violence and Access, Equity and Inclusion
Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia
Panel 1: Putting Safety First in Family Law: How the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia is Responding to Family Violence Three Years on From the Commencement of the Reforms
Abstract
There is incontrovertible evidence that the point of separation and the months following present the highest risk time for victim-survivors of family violence escaping that violence, and this risk exacerbates when victim-survivors exercise their rights in the justice system.
With this backdrop, and in circumstances where 83% of parenting matters in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (FCFCOA) involve allegations on family violence, risk and safety are recognised as critical considerations in the work of the Courts.
Come along and listen to a number of the key architects of the reforms to the FCFCOA over the last 3 years as they talk about the series of interventions being implemented from risk screening and assessment, to early referral to essential legal and specialist supports, to information sharing on risk, workforce development, judicial education and policy and practice improvements, as well as sector and court user consultation and codesign. Hear about the challenges and impacts of these evolving changes and how they are combining with the recent amendments to the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth) to promote safer outcomes for children and their caregivers, and how you as member of the family violence sector can provide input and collaborate with the FCFCOA on improved system responses to families impacted by family violence to promote safer processes and outcomes for children and families impacted by family violence.
Key Learnings:
1. Understand the Reforms in Response to Family Violence:
Gain insights into the key interventions and reforms implemented by the FCFCOA over the past three years to address family violence, including risk screening, early referrals, and information sharing on risk.
2. Explore the Impact of Policy and Practice Improvements:
Learn about the challenges and impacts of recent amendments to the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth) and other policy and practice improvements aimed at promoting safer outcomes for children and caregivers in family violence situations.
3. Engage with Collaboration Opportunities with the Family Violence Sector:
Discover how members of the family violence sector can provide input and collaborate with the FCFCOA to enhance system responses, ensuring safer processes and outcomes for families affected by family violence.
With this backdrop, and in circumstances where 83% of parenting matters in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (FCFCOA) involve allegations on family violence, risk and safety are recognised as critical considerations in the work of the Courts.
Come along and listen to a number of the key architects of the reforms to the FCFCOA over the last 3 years as they talk about the series of interventions being implemented from risk screening and assessment, to early referral to essential legal and specialist supports, to information sharing on risk, workforce development, judicial education and policy and practice improvements, as well as sector and court user consultation and codesign. Hear about the challenges and impacts of these evolving changes and how they are combining with the recent amendments to the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth) to promote safer outcomes for children and their caregivers, and how you as member of the family violence sector can provide input and collaborate with the FCFCOA on improved system responses to families impacted by family violence to promote safer processes and outcomes for children and families impacted by family violence.
Key Learnings:
1. Understand the Reforms in Response to Family Violence:
Gain insights into the key interventions and reforms implemented by the FCFCOA over the past three years to address family violence, including risk screening, early referrals, and information sharing on risk.
2. Explore the Impact of Policy and Practice Improvements:
Learn about the challenges and impacts of recent amendments to the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth) and other policy and practice improvements aimed at promoting safer outcomes for children and caregivers in family violence situations.
3. Engage with Collaboration Opportunities with the Family Violence Sector:
Discover how members of the family violence sector can provide input and collaborate with the FCFCOA to enhance system responses, ensuring safer processes and outcomes for families affected by family violence.
Biography
Hayley Foster, BBus (Ec) LLB (Hons) GDLP GDFDRP GAICD, is the Director of Family Violence and Director of Access, Equity, and Inclusion at the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia charged with advising the Chief Justice and CEO on enhancing the Court's response to family violence and increasing accessibility for diverse populations. Hayley is recognised leader in family, domestic, and sexual violence prevention and response efforts, with a career spanning frontline services, behaviour change, law practice, policy development, and executive leadership. Hayley has played a key part in shaping substantial policy and law reforms at state and federal levels, including the criminalisation of coercive control, affirmative sexual consent laws, a national curriculum on respectful relationships, paid domestic violence leave, Respect@Work, and the prioritisation of safety in family law. Notable advisory roles include the Commonwealth Advisory Group for the National Plan to End Violence Against Women and Children and the Fair Work Commission's Sexual Harassment Working Group.
