Training Gaps, Prolonged Legal Battles Key Concerns for Victims of Family Violence

‘We have heard there is more still to be done,’ Committee Chair Susan Templeman said.

A mother and her child pose in a room in a temporary apartment of the Home association in Paris, France, on Nov. 22, 2016. Geoffroy Van der Hasselt/AFP via Getty Images

Training gaps, inconsistent court rulings, and the prolonged, stressful nature of legal battles were key concerns raised during the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs public hearing on Aug. 23.

Chaired by Labor MP Susan Templeman, the session revealed significant issues within the family law sector, including inadequate specialised training for legal professionals and the urgent need for reforms to address multiple and prolonged court hearings effectively.