ORDERS OF THE DAY

A DAY in the Domestic and Family Violence Court represents a rolling coverage of domestic violence and temporary protection orders. The process usually takes place behind closed doors to allow for the privacy of the aggrieved.

It is a specialised court that sits under the umbrella of the Magistrates Court.

In Southport, two specifically trained magistrates preside over DVO applications and criminal matters. The court is so busy that the criminal matters often spill to the regular Magistrates Court.

In most cases a DVO is not a simple process.

It is a civil matter, but unlike a criminal charge the alleged victim has their own lawyer or a duty lawyer to help them.

Consented orders can be put in place on the spot. If not, the process can drag out for months.

In the first instance a temporary protection order will be made – a way of bridging the gap until a final, five-year DVO is made.

These can often be held up by family court or criminal proceedings.

A DVO application can be made by a civilian or by police. Applications made by police can only be removed by police or the courts.

When at court, the alleged victims are taken into a safe room only accessible with a swipe card held by select court staff and duty lawyers.

The court remains closed for each of the matters and at the start of each matter names are called over the public address system.

The respondent enters through the main door but the aggrieved enters from the opposite side through a door connected to the safe room.

That door cannot be accessed from the courtroom without a swipe card.

When in the courtroom the alleged victim sits on the very end of the bar table, a support worker or friend to their left and their lawyer to their right.

A police prosecutor sits in the centre, their laptop open, ready to look up information as required.

Next to them is the respondent’s lawyer and, finally, the respondent.

The public gallery is empty except for a few lawyers.

On the day the Bulletin sat in the court, it was not uncommon for court staff to move in and out of the room delivering paperwork and files.

The Bulletin last month revealed that one in 10 DVO applications made in Queensland were issued in Southport.

On average 365 DVOs are made each month. About 12 DVOs were breached every day during the month of March.