Legal resource to help address national domestic violence crisis

A free digital resource to help judges, legal practitioners and frontline staff navigate domestic and family violence cases has been released today.

The updated National Domestic and Family Violence Bench Book was developed with significant input from UQ Law School’s Professor Heather Douglas, who said the tool provided assistance to those on the coal-face of domestic violence cases.

“The bench book draws on the depth of knowledge and experience of lawyers, judges, police officers, and case workers around the country to provide practical help and guidance,” Professor Douglas said.

 “It provides a central resource for judicial officers considering legal issues relevant to domestic and family violence related cases,” she said.

“It helps with the navigation of complex, sensitive and challenging issues that arise during domestic and family violence related cases.”

Funded and supported by the Commonwealth Attorney-General’s Department and the Australasian Institute of Judicial Administration, the National Domestic and Family Violence Bench Book, represents a significant nationwide collaboration.

Professor Douglas said the third July 2019 edition included over 200 new case summaries, references and updated legislation.

“It’s great that the bench book continues to be used as a key resource for National Judicial Council’s training program for judges.

“The digital site attracts more than 1000 visitors per month.”

The July 2019 edition is available here.

Media: Melanie Williams, Faculty of Business, Economics and Law, melanie.williams@uq.edu.au, media@bel.uq.edu.au, +61 7 344 31321, +61 413 400 138.