By CAM LUCADOU-WELLS
BIG changes are set to hit family-violence hotspots such as Greater Dandenong as the result of a recently released state Royal Commission report, says a legal aid director.
Nicole Rich, family, youth and children’s law executive director of Victoria Legal Aid, said Dandenong could expect a specialist family violence court and a one-stop safety hub that links victims to police, specialist help and crisis accommodation.
The family violence Royal Commission’s 1900-page report noted that Dandenong Magistrates’ Court finalised more than 3200 family violence intervention orders in a year – the busiest court in the state.
Ms Rich said the specialist court was a “very positive move”, well needed in the region, but would require upgrading the current magistrates’ court building.
She said the crowded waiting area didn’t have room to screen victims from perpetrators.
As well as upgrading security, there also needed to be separate rooms for witnesses to give video evidence to courts if necessary.
VLA will also need more funding to help provide increased priority for early legal advice, Ms Rich said.
Its Dandenong office provided 1163 family-violence related services to Greater Dandenong residents in 2014-15 – not including private duty-lawyer services.
“Legal aid and community legal services are available but the officers are critically overwhelmed by demand.”
Ms Rich said quality time was needed to work through the complexities of the case, whether there were family law, criminal law and child protection implications.
Not to mention the community health, accommodation and support links that may need to be organised.
“You can’t just meet for 15 minutes.”
The Royal Commission noted VLA was only able to provide representation to 12 per cent of family-violence respondents in Dandenong.
The report also detailed a victim who was unable to secure stable crisis shelter in Dandenong because she had a job.
Ms Rich said there was a great need for more safe crisis housing for victims, and behavioural change courses and drug-and-alcohol treatment for perpetrators.
