Landscapes of Violence: Women Surviving Family Violence in Regional and Rural Victoria
This research combines the findings of two studies undertaken by the CRRLJ and explores the experiences of and outcomes for women and children survivors of family violence in regional and rural Victoria, examining their contact with and perceptions of government agencies (including Victoria Police, the Victorian magistrates' courts and DHS) as well as private and community advocates (legal actors and services, women's services and family violence services) and healthcare professionals. Issues and barriers facing survivors escaping family violence are identified, and survivors, support workers, legal actors and magistrates have offered suggestions as to how the criminal justice system and the broader Victorian community might assist in improving access to justice, and further support and protect survivors and their children. This research employs a feminist legal methodological approach to research, focusing on and privileging the lived experience of survivors. Researchers conducted court observations and semi-structured interviews with survivors, workers, lawyers and magistrates. Additionally, in developing recommendations to empower and enhance support, security and assistance for survivors, researchers engaged in extensive consultation with government and non-government agencies involved with responding to family violence.
Courting justice beyond the cityscape: Access to justice and the rural, regional and remote magistrates' courts
The lower courts in Australia are important spaces. These "people's courts" handle the majority of civil and criminal matters and can profoundly shape perceptions, not only of the courts but of the criminal justice system at large. Lower courts play a key role in educating and guiding court workers and are places where innovative practices are pioneered and social change is pursued. Despite their significance there has been little review of the lower courts, even less of courts beyond the cityscape. In the article that follows the authors explore the history, role and operations of lower courts in rural, regional and remote Australia to assess how the courts respond to the needs and diversity of different community groups and regions; they identify barriers to justice and signal emerging areas of research.