Webinar:
A practice discussion on working with men who use violence in the justice system: an integrated response model

Research has found that the domestic and family violence (DFV) service system is fragmented and creates challenges for women in accessing support.

Research has also highlighted that to be most effective, interventions with perpetrators of DFV need to consider women’s safety as well. Proposed steps to addressing the fragmented system, and toward holistic responses that bring together the provision of support with perpetrator interventions, include inter-agency collaboration, and integrated response approaches.

In 2010, the South Australian Government implemented an integrated response model for responding to DFV through the Magistrates Court. It encompasses accountability and behaviour change for men, and case management support for women and children. The services involved with this model include the Magistrates Court, police, women’s safety services and men’s behaviour change programs delivered by non-government organisations. This model engages with men who use violence after a domestic violence intervention order has been issued and prior to sentencing occurring. Through this referral pathway partners and family members (women and children) are also offered support.

Using practice examples and reflection, the panel will discuss:

• how an integrated response model between the justice system and service system works in practice
• strengths and ongoing challenges of the model.

There will also be a live Q&A.

This webinar is designed for:

• practitioners and policymakers working within domestic and family violence services including men’s behavior change programs, women’s safety services and justice services.

Enquiries: rachel.pow@anrows.org.au

Presenters

Sue King
Manager Intervention Programs Branch, Courts Administration Authority

Sue King has been involved with South Australia’s Integrated Response Model to address domestic abuse perpetrated by men against their female partner or ex-partner since it’s development in 2010 and implementation in 2011. Sue have a background in the disciplines of social work and law, and a strong interest is evidence based approaches to offender rehabilitation. In her work, Sue is committed to providing programs to help who use violence change their attitudes and behaviour, while expecting accountability and prioritising the safety of women and children.

Tavia Sterk
Team Leader Abuse Prevention Program, Magistrates Court of South Australia.

Tavia has a Bachelor of Social Science degree and has worked with the Abuse Prevention Program since 2011. In her role, Tavia is responsible for conducting assessments, referring men into a behaviour change program and monitoring their progress, reporting to Court and breaching men for non-compliance.  Previously, Tavia worked with offenders in other roles such as Alcohol and other Drugs.

Mergho Ray
Manager Integrated Programs, Women’s Safety Services SA

Mergho is currently Manager Integrated Programs at Women’s Safety Services SA.  Mergho has worked in the area of Domestic and Family Violence, sexual assault and adult survivors of child sexual abuse since 1983 in a variety of roles and agencies. Mergho is a strong advocate for the prevention of violence within the LGBTIQ+ communities and an ally in promoting sovereignty for First Nations Peoples.

Craig Rigney
CEO & Co-founder, Kornar Winmil Yunti (KWY)

Craig Rigney is the CEO and co-founder of Kornar Winmil Yunti (KWY) and has been in this role for the past 9 years. KWY is an Aboriginal not for profit organisation based in Adelaide that works closely with the specialist homelessness, domestic violence and child protection services across South Australia (SA).  Craig holds a range of representative positions including the South Australian Council of Social Services (SACOSS), Embolden a peak body of domestic, family and sexual violence services in SA, South Australia Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation Network for Closing the Gap and the Minister appointed Aboriginal Community Leadership Reference Group.  Craig is a proud Aboriginal man and is dedicated to eliminating all forms of violence against women and children and stemming the flow of Aboriginal children and families into the child protection systems.

Di Lawrie
Team Manager, OARS Community Transitions

Di Lawrie is the Team Manager at OARS Community Transitions (OARS CT) a non-government organization which aims to enhance community wellbeing by reducing offending and victimization.  Di has worked at OARS CT for 11 years, and the not for profit sector for over 23 in both Australia and the UK.   Di has a background managing and facilitating Moral Reconation Therapy programs, as well as alcohol and other drug interventions, and Specialised Intervention Services (inclusive of National Disability Insurance Scheme and Behaviour Supports), both in the community and in prisons.

Magistrate Jay McGrath
Manager of the Family Violence Court

Jay McGrath was appointed to the Magistracy in 2011. As a Magistrate, she has taken a special interest in the area of domestic violence holding the position as Manager of the Family Violence Court since 2018. She is particularly aware of the scourge of domestic violence in our community and has sought to develop improved outcomes within the Courts by liaison with the judiciary and police, improving administrative processes, information sharing and strong interactions with the legal fraternity, support services for victims and other relevant agencies. She circuits to remote Indigenous communities and other rural regions. She is a trained facilitator with the National Judicial College of Australia and a committee member on the Australian Association of Women Judges. She has extensively presented to the judiciary at all levels and other stakeholders locally and interstate in her role as the Family Violence Manager.

Facilitator

Michele Robinson
Director Evidence to Action, ANROWS

Michele joined ANROWS in 2017 as the Director, Evidence to Action.  Michele leads the translation and dissemination of research at ANROWS to support the take-up of evidence into policy and practice, to reduce violence against women and their children. This role builds on Michele’s 18 years of experience in leadership roles developing advice and strategies on research, knowledge partnerships and exchange in a diverse range of sectors, including the prevention of violence against women and their children.