- Published:
- Wednesday 29 November 2023 at 3:12 am
'Going to court – how to plan for your day' is a new video developed by our Family Violence team in consultation with people with lived experience of family violence.
It will be supported by two animated videos about our duty lawyer services and the family violence intervention order process (both currently in development).
Associate Director Family Violence Leanne Sinclair says that as professionals, we often only see a part of someone’s legal journey.
‘Speaking with clients who have been through the family violence legal system helps us understand the process from their perspective.
‘We made this central to the development of our videos, incorporating clients’ feedback and experiences into practical information and advice.
‘We hope these videos will help people to feel better prepared ahead of going court.’
Working with lived-experience experts
The consultation process to inform our video development started with one-on-one and group discussions facilitated by family violence support services.
We heard from a range of people, about their experiences of going to court, including:
- people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds
- First Nations people
- people from the LGBTIQ+ community
- people with disability
- people who had an experience of being misidentified as the primary aggressor of family violence
- men who had used family violence.
Organisations involved include, InTouch, Safe Steps, Djirra, Reinforce, YouthLaw and No to Violence.
Feedback from the sessions highlighted the need for more plain language resources and practical information about going to court, with video being a preferred format. People also wanted resources with information about how lawyers at court, duty lawyers, can help and an explanation of the family violence intervention order process.
Another key recommendation was to include people with lived experience in the scripting of the videos.
Building the story
Story-building workshops were then held with lived experience experts to find out their experiences navigating the court process at different stages. We also heard from two men who have used family violence, about their perspective on the court process.
Over many drafts, we worked to incorporate lived experience and legal feedback on the script, while aiming to keep the video short, legally accurate, and relevant for a wide audience.
Video development
The final video was filmed by Little Rocket production company (also a Kinaway Chamber of Commerce member). It was filmed on location in Kensington on Wurundjeri Country and at Moorabbin Magistrates Court on Bunurong Country.
The video has been reviewed by lived experience experts, as well as receiving feedback from the Victim Survivors’ Advisory Council.
Lived experience expert Farah is a survivor-advocate, and passionate activist for the prevention and ending of domestic and family violence. She also provided the voiceover for the video and hopes it will help clients have realistic expectations of the court process and ease their anxiety.
‘It is important to me to use my experience and advice to shine a light on issues and matters that are often overlooked by others who have not had lived experience.
‘Given how complicated and complex court matters can be, I hope the video helps support future VLA clients for a smoother and easier journey within the court system.’
Family Violence Project Coordinator Brea Acton says working with lived experience experts on this project has been wonderful.
‘By listening to feedback from people who have been through the system, we were able to include information we wouldn’t have thought of.
‘An example is the suggestion to bring extra layers of clothing to court, as people can feel hot or cold when they’re anxious.
‘The lived experience experts we worked with have been so generous and thoughtful with their feedback, and the videos have improved beyond measure through this collaboration.’
More information
Go to My safety tool to plan for your safety and separation when experiencing domestic, family or sexual violence.
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