Specialist domestic and family violence court to operate in Brisbane

A specialist domestic and family violence court is to be established in Brisbane to help vulnerable Queenslanders navigate the justice system, with $19.7 million committed over four years by the state government to fund it.

A specialist domestic and family violence court will be established in Brisbane to help vulnerable Queenslanders navigate the justice system.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk took to social media to reveal that the Brisbane Court was announced at the Small Steps 4 Hannah Gala Ball on Saturday night.

Small Steps 4 Hannah was founded by Sue and Lloyd Clarke after the horrific domestic violence murder of their daughter Hannah and grandchildren Aaliyah, 6, Laianah, 4 and Trey, 3.

Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Shannon Fentiman said the Queensland Government had committed $19.7 million over four years to rollout the new specialist court to deal exclusively with domestic and family violence (DFV) matters.

“This model ensures victims attending court can have confidence the experience won’t further traumatise them,” Ms Fentiman said.

“It means people who experience DFV are supported through the legal system, instead of getting lost in it.”

It follows recommendations from a Hear HerVoice report from December 2021, which called for “enhancements to Queensland Courts to ensure the safety of victims’’.

Queensland’s reform program, the Not Now, Not Ever task force also called for “specialist domestic and family violence courts, with specialist magistrates” in 2015.

“These courts should deal with both civil and criminal domestic and family violence matters and could possibly include child protection and family law children’s matters to create efficiency and connections,” the report read.

The Attorney-General said additional funding has also been committed to upgrade the Courthouse to improve victim safety and make sure facilities are modern and functional.

Small Steps for Hannah Gala Ball – Lloyd and Sue Clarke South Brisbane Saturday 16th July 2022 Picture David Clark

“Brisbane has one of the busiest magistrates courts in Queensland, which deals with a high volume of DFV matters, so the community will benefit from this specialist service,” Ms Fentiman said.

“In 2020 to 21, the court dealt with almost 1,900 applications for domestic violence orders and more than 2,200 charges of contravening a domestic violence order.”

Specialist domestic and family violence courts were first trialled in Queensland in 2015 and currently operate in Southport, Beenleigh, Townsville, Mount Isa and Palm Island.

A new specialist DFV court will also be established in Cairns.

“Specialist courts are shown to be effective in prioritising the safety of victims, holding perpetrators accountable and working to promote changes in attitudes and behaviour,” Ms Fentiman said.

The Attorney-General said the design and operation of the Brisbane Specialist Domestic and Family Violence Court would be informed by the operations of existing specialist courts, particularly Queensland’s first permanent specialist DFV court at Southport.

Originally published as Specialist domestic and family violence court to operate in Brisbane