Background to Domestic Violence Working Group
Background to Domestic Violence Working Group
In August 2009, NLAF established a Domestic Violence Working Group, chaired by Sue Scott of Legal Aid NSW.
The aim of the Working Group was to improve coordination of legal services for people in domestic violence situations in NSW by:
- mapping current legal services and initiatives
- assessing the usefulness of further collaboration in the following areas:
- referral
- screening and risk assessment tools
- training
- community legal education
- best practice guidelines.
It was envisaged that the working group would run until November 2009.
NLAF convened a Forum on 14 October 2009, attended by 30 representatives from state and federal government, service providers, courts and police.
The following mapping documents were produced:
- Domestic violence training in NSW
- Domestic violence committees in NSW
- Domestic violence services in NSW Local Courts
- Map of Domestic violence services in NSW Local Courts
- Domestic violence legal services in NSW
- Domestic violence scenarios and the roles played by agencies
The Forum also discussed possibilities for further collaboration.
NLAF decided to extend the timeframe for operation of the Domestic Violence Working Group until November 2010 in order to undertake a number of activities including holding a second Forum in April 2010 to provide input into the joint Australian Law Reform Commission and NSW Law Reform Commission Family Violence Inquiry.
In 2010, the working group was chaired by Janet Loughman, Principal Solicitor, Women’s Legal Services NSW.
