New resources for legal staff to identify and respond to family violence safety risks

Client facing staff in the legal sector now have access to specific training to identify family violence safety risks among First Nations and culturally and linguistically diverse clients.

We have collaborated with Women’s Legal Service Victoria, Boorndawan Willam Aboriginal Healing Service and inTouch Multicultural Centre Against Family Violence to develop the new modules to enhance our Client Safety Framework.

‘The e-learning framework helps us to promote the safety of clients and their families by increasing our understanding and awareness of the risk factors that can contribute to family violence,’ said Associate Director Family Violence Response Leanne Sinclair.

‘We sought specialist organisations to lead the development of content for the new modules as their work with and for communities each day is invaluable.

‘We’re grateful for the time and expertise of our partners that will help to ensure staff understand how to assist First Nations and culturally and linguistically diverse clients in a culturally appropriate and responsive way,’ said Leanne. 

Director of Education and Engagement at Women’s Legal Service Victoria Amy Schwebel says improving legal support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and women from migrant, refugee, or non-English speaking backgrounds is essential. 

‘We know that supporting women experiencing family violence is a core business for the legal sector and this new training will assist lawyers to provide safe services. 

‘This new training is a great example of how organisations across the legal sector can collaborate effectively to provide high quality services for everyone,’ said Amy.

Listening to clients and responding appropriately

The new module on working with First Nations clients will helps learners to identify family violence risk for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients, ask questions and respond in a culturally responsive and trauma-informed way. 

This includes understanding family violence risk factors, protective factors and cultural barriers specific to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

Boorndawan Willam Aboriginal Healing Service Chief Executive Officer Elliejean Singh says the module is informed by the service’s daily interactions with clients and experiences in the community.

‘Collaborative work like this benefits the client experience in many ways as it brings diverse knowledge, skillsets and expert views that can increase the cultural safety and sensitivity for clients,’ said Elliejean.

‘Building the capacity of workforces to be more understanding and empathetic to the needs of those clients creates a much more productive and pleasant experience for both the staff and clients.’

The module on working with culturally and linguistically diverse clients looks at the systemic barriers, challenges and discrimination these clients may face. 

It helps learners apply a culturally responsive and intersectional lens when working with migrant and refugee clients, to better understand the migration context and minimise further family violence safety risks.

Lead, Learning and Development at InTouch Divvya Sivarajah says the centre brought nearly 40 years experience working at the intersection of migration and family law to the module’s development. 

‘Our expertise centres the lived experience of victim survivors from migrant and refugee backgrounds, who inform our in-Language, in-Culture delivery model,’ said Divvya. 

‘inTouch is in a unique position in terms of educating the sector because our workforce understands the importance and effectiveness of responding to family violence in a culturally tailored manner, resulting in safe and successful outcomes for clients and a more informed and efficient process in courts.’

She’s confident the new materials will help to ensure that people from migrant and refugee communities are listened to and supported appropriately. 

‘It encourages a continuum of care throughout the family violence response system, assuring safety and avoiding the possibility of retraumatisation,’ said Divvya.

Access the training

The CSF e-learning program is available for Victoria Legal Aid staff, as well as private practitioners and community legal centre staff through LawHub.

The complete framework of six modules attracts six continuing professional development points for lawyers. 

Information for clients

Go to My safety tool to plan for your safety and separation when experiencing domestic, family or sexual violence. 

Get legal information about violence, abuse and personal safety.