THE Shepparton Magistrates’ Court has opened a new Family Violence Court Division last week to give communities access to more modern court facilities and better access to justice. The new division will provide specialist support services and include a new counselling order program.
The court’s mandated counselling order program will allow specialist family violence magistrates to order male perpetrators of family violence to attend men’s behaviour change programs. This will contribute to improving the safety of families living with violence by ensuring perpetrators change their behaviours and thereby reduce the risk they present to their families.
The new division will feature specially trained applicant and respondent practitioners to assist those impacted by family violence with court support and appropriate referral pathways. This will promote the safety of victims and increase accountability of those who have used violence against family members.
In addition to specialist services, there are also a number of security upgrades with separate and secure waiting spaces for victims of family violence and a dedicated security presence. These arrangements will significantly improve the safety of affected family members attending court. This partially acquits recommendation 70 of the Royal Commission into Family Violence.
Stage two works, including the redevelopment of the 1930s courthouse, has commenced and is scheduled to be completed by next year. Under the refurbishment, the 1930s courthouse will be transformed to support a Specialist Family Violence Court Division.
