IWCADV and the role of DV Advocate are committed to providing informative Court Support to women who are attending court for Domestic and Family Violence matters.
Please note that we support all women attending Domestic and Family Violence Court regardless of whether they are named as an Aggrieved (the person seeking protection) or Respondent (person against whom a protection application is made).
Where a matter involves two women being the Aggrieved and the Respondent, we will ensure that support is provided impartially to both parties. This will usually involve one worker speaking with the Aggrieved and another worker speaking with the Respondent (where worker resources permit) in ensuring there is no conflict of interest.
IWCADV provides Court Support to the following courts:
- Ipswich Magistrates Court (Monday mornings - Callover at 9am)
- Richlands Magistrates Court (Tuesday afternoons - Callover at 2pm)
- Gatton Magistrates Court (every second Wednesday morning - Callover at 9am)
- Toogoolawah Magistrates Court (first Wednesday morning of each month - Callover at 9am)
The new Ipswich Magistrates Court that opened in December 2009, Richlands, Gatton and Toogoolawah Magistrates Courts all provide excellent facilities for women who require safety, privacy, personal support and assistance. Court Support workers are generally present approximately thirty minutes before each Callover to assist in the following:
- Marking off who is present (both Aggrieved and Respondents). Please note that your matter may be heard earlier if court staff and support workers are aware of your presence.
- Assessing any potential safety risks that may pertain to your safety and that of others. Working with women in ensuring their safety and privacy is paramount at all times.
- Assisting women with any questions they may have about the court process and what is going to happen in court.
- Assisting women with any specific questions they may have in regards to their mention matter.
- Providing information in regards to Domestic Violence Orders (DVO's), Temporary Protection Orders (TPO's) and assistance in ensuring thorough understanding of any conditions within the orders, eg, what that means for the Aggrieved and the Respondent and any named person/s and or children.
- Provision of referrals eg, Legal Aid, Emergency Relief, DV Connect, Refuge or other agencies.
- Emotional Support, Counselling.
- Liaising with Police Prosecutors and other key Court Staff in an effort to make the court process as "stress-free” as possible for all parties concerned.
- Liaising with Police Prosecutors and advocating for women in regards to any requests or concerns women may disclose to us on the day (with approval/consent from the woman). Eg, adding/removing conditions from orders, requesting a TPO, adding/removing named persons.
It is important to note that all matters are set down for either 9.00 am or 2.00 pm, it is difficult to estimate a time for each matter as this process is dependent on several external factors, so be prepared for a lengthy wait of approximately 3 hours. This is especially significant at Ipswich and Richlands Magistrates Courts due to the large volume of matters that present.
There is no need for women to book into this program, our workers will be there (see above) usually around 30min before DV court is due to begin.
However, women are welcome to contact IWCADV over the phone prior to their DVO Mention with any questions that they may have about the process.
Every matter for the DVO Mention is summoned to court at the same time, meaning that people can be in for quite a wait before their matter is called into court - especially if it's a long list!
It's usually a good idea to arrange for someone to babysit kids for that time, and to bring a book or magazine to read!
Preparing for court:
- Arrange a babysitter for the kids if you can
- Bring a book or something to do just in case you have a long wait
- Bring any questions you have about the process
- If you have a solicitor, bring their name and contact details with you in case they are delayed
- Bring your paperwork with you - your copy of the DVO application
- If you are concerned about your physical safety, you are able to contact security at the courthouse directly and they can make arrangements for your safe arrival and departure from the courthouse
- You are welcome to bring a support person with you, but keep in mind that DV Court is a closed court and they may not be able to go into the court room with you.
- You have the right to speak with legal advice prior to coming to court. This is available from
- Legal Aid (1300 651 188)
- Women's Legal Service (3392 0670)
- South West Brisbane Community Legal Service (3372 8925)
- Caxton Legal Service (3254 1811)
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