Domestic violence protocol

The Department of Justice and Attorney-General has a domestic violence protocol to assist staff who work in Queensland's magistrates courts to help those people seeking protection from domestic violence.

While it is primarily a guide for our staff, we have provided the booklet here to help you understand how we deal with issues such as domestic violence. It also informs you about the process you may face if you need this service.

This booklet is provided in three parts:

Part 1 (PDF File, 1.6 MB)

Introduction

• Authority for the DV protocols
• The law
• The clients
• The court and court staff
• Court assistance workers
• Integrated or coordinated community responses
• A note to smaller centres

Safety principles

• Introduction
• Staff safety
• Safety responsibilities of the Registrar
• Safety responsibilities of court staff
• Strategies
• Be receptive
• Ask about safety
• Fill out the safety form
• Be prepared
• ChildcarNever underestimate the respondent spouse
• Do not leave the aggrieved spouse alone
• Ensure safety procedures are followed after court

Information

• Introduction 
• Give the client choices 
• Explain the process clearly 
• Provide information 
• Answer all the client's questions 
• Avoid legal jargon 
• Check that the message is understood 
• Explain who can represent them in court 
• Arrange interpreters if necessary 
• 1800 line and other vital information 
• Residency and contact disputes 
• Maximise the protection order 
• Filling out forms 
• Inform the respondent spouse separately 
• Be aware that stalking is a criminal offence

Part 2 (PDF File, 1.1 MB)

Principles of support

• Introduction
• Strategies
• Accept what the client says
• Don't be judgmental
• Be understanding
• Stress confidentiality
• Invite support people to stay
• Be aware of the particular needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
• Be aware of the particular needs of people from a non-English speaking background
• Be aware of the particular needs of people with disabilities
• Be aware of the particular needs of people from the lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender community
• Be aware of your own needs

Guidelines for working with interpreters

• Assessing the need for an interpreter
• Professional interpreters versus family and friends as interpreters
• Order-of-preference protocols for engaging interpreters
• Arranging an interpreter

Part 3 (PDF File, 1.3 MB)

Acknowledgments, references and attachments

• Safety form
• Terms used in domestic violence protection orders
• Conditions which the aggrieved spouse may wish to include on the application form
• Domestic violence protection orders: What you need to know
• Resource information
• Help sheet - A quick reference guide