A pilot Federal Circuit and Family Court program has been operating to assist domestic violence victims, those with net assets under $550,000 and other vulnerable people resolve property disputesChief Justice Will Alstergren says he is hopeful the program rolling out nationally will help Australian families facing court processes
With a view to helping address such cases, a pilot program launched in 2020 employs tactics to expedite court cases for people who are at risk of domestic violence, who have net assets under $550,000 or are otherwise vulnerable. She said in some situations where domestic violence is involved, victims decide that is the safest option for them."Sometimes we find that women who are experiencing family violence, the perpetrator of that violence will not engage in the process or will use the process to continue their control or abuse over their former partner," she said.
"These are the things that women, often when they're leaving a violent, unsafe relationship, these things disappear, and so it means they're starting from scratch."