Family Violence Courts | Violence Intervention Programs | Referrals | Eligibility criteria | Contact details | Anti-violence Manual

[This page was last updated on: 21 July, 2009 ] 

A Family Violence Court is held at the Elizabeth, Port Adelaide and Adelaide Magistrates Court one day a week to hear criminal charges against men who have alleged assaulted a family member. Having a designated court enables the police to provide special assistance to victims and enables Violence Intervention Program (VIP) staff to attend to provide information, advocacy and support services to victims and their children. Men appearing in the FVC can be referred by the Magistrate to attend a 24 week “Stopping Violence” group as part of a condition of bail or a bond. The Stopping Violence Program is provided by the VIP staff .

The Family Violence Court at Elizabeth is linked with the Northern Violence Intervention Program (NVIP), The Central Northern Adelaide Health Service manages the NVIP and the staff in the program consists of Men’s Worker, Women’s Advocate, Children Advocates, Manager and admin officers and Community Correctional Services Officers who supervise the male offenders. The program also works collaboratively with local Police. The Department of Health, Central Northern Adelaide Heath Service, the Attorney-General's Department and the Department for Correctional Services provide funding for the NVIP.  

The Adelaide Magistrates Court is linked with the Central Violence Intervention Program (CVIP) The Salvation Army manages and provides staff for the CVIP, from their Pirie Street office. The Salvation Army, the Attorney-General’s Department and the Department fund the service for the Correctional Services. The program also works collaboratively with local Police from Mount Barker, Port Adelaide, Holden Hill and also from the Adelaide and Sturt Family Violence Investigation Sections of the South Australian Police.  

• Information for persons served with restraining orders;  and
• Information for persons who have been granted a restraining order
• Anti-violence Manual which promotes the safety of women and children, and challenges men's use of violence against their partners or ex-partners and children. 
•  Understanding Domestic Violence in the Criminal Justice System - A new manual for people experiencing domestic violence and workers in the field.

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Four principles underpin the programs:  

• the safety of women and children is paramount at all times;

• men who abuse are responsible, and will be held fully accountable for their actions;

• interventions will be respectful;  

• the program is accountable to the experience of those who have been abused.   

The program offers specialist services to men who use violence and women and children subjected to domestic violence within a family context. The program aim is to establish and maintain an integrated and coordinated interagency and criminal justice response that promotes the safety of women and children and challenges men’s use of violence against their partners, former partners and children.

At the Adelaide Magistrates Court the Women's Worker attends on Monday and Thursday afternoons and provides support and information to women making applications and variations to domestic violence restraining orders.  NVIP provides a similar court service on Tuesday morning at the Elizabeth Magistrates Court. The Women’s Advocate provides information on the court process, restraining orders, services available and discusses safety issues. This important service was developed from collaborative work with the Magistrates and Adelaide and Sturt Family Violence Investigation Units and Prosecutors from the South Australia Police. 

The Children’s Worker assesses current and ongoing safety issues for children in relationships where there is violence and provides children with the chance to voice their views and be heard.  In NVIP also children and young people are providing with therapeutic counselling and can be involved in an ongoing group program for children affected by Domestic violence.

Men are assessed for entry into the program as soon as possible after coming into contact with the criminal justice system. 

At the Adelaide Magistrates Court the CVIP Case Manager attends court on Thursday mornings and gives information to men about he program. This includes men appearing in relation to both domestic violence restraining order applications and criminal charges. The Case Manager refers men interested in assessment to the team. 

At the Elizabeth Magistrates Court the NVIP the DCS Court Worker attends court on Monday and assesses the men who maybe suitable to be referred to the program for assessment. This includes men appearing in relation to criminal charges. The Court Worker provides information on assessment outcome, referral eligibility and other information pertinent to the court.  

Men who have been charged with criminal offences are remanded on bail for 6weeks so they can be assessed. Specific conditions of bail include VIP assessment and DCS supervision. If the defendant is suitable, bail is extended to enable him to participate in the ‘Stopping Violence Group’ facilitated by the two Men’s Workers. 

The court regards involvement in the program as a suspension of proceedings rather than conditional on any outcome of the criminal proceedings.  Specific conditions are included in this extended bail period. Failure to adhere to conditions of bail, can result in a breach report being forwarded to the court and Prosecution Services. 

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Referrals for assessment for suitability and eligibility are received from three sources:  

• Family Violence Court (at Adelaide or Elizabeth)

• South Australia Police (Family Violence Investigation Section)

• South Australian Police 

• Department for Correctional Services.

• NVIP has also a social health pathway and accepts referral from Primary Health Care Services and Families SA.  

Priority is given to referrals from the court.    

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The interventions of the Violence Intervention Program prioritise safety for women and children and hold men responsible for their violence. The program is responsive to issues of domestic violence occurring within heterosexual relationships, regardless of the status of the relationship. 

Men are assessed for entry into the program on the following criteria:   

• acknowledgement of past violence and abuse;  

• acknowledgement that the violence and abuse is problematic to himself and others;  

• an indication that he wishes to take steps to cease his violence and abuse.

Women whose partners/ former-partners and children are clients of the program are offered counselling, advocacy support and information and are invited to participate in the program. In order to enhance accountability to those who have been abused a victim’s perspective may be provided to the Family Violence Court through an Intervention Outcome Report by providing evidence of change in the man’s behaviour during his involvement with the program.  

Central Violence Intervention Program

Telephone: (08) 83210655

E-mail: graeme.cowan@aus.salvationarmy.org  

www.salvationarmy.org.au/cvip/

Northern Violence Intervention Program

Telephone: (08) 83961345

E-mail: cnahs@health.sa.gov.au

www.health.sa.gov.au/cnahs  

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