The term Family Violence is used to detail abusive behaviours including physical, sexual, emotional, psychological and financial abuse or coercively controlling behaviour.
Family violence, unfortunately, does feature in many relationships and can be one of the reasons one person ultimately decides to leave. Some people may not realise that what they have been experiencing in the relationship amounts to family violence and others may not understand that behaviours they have perpetrated are abusive. As a society, we know that people get angry and frustrated at times and we know that sometimes there are unusual circumstances or heated arguments that are not the normal for the relationship. Family Violence, from a family law perspective, identifies those behaviours that occur more consistently and indicate a pattern of abuse or behaviours that cause someone to feel a sense of imminent or immediate fear or of being controlled.
Often the background stories told by clients clearly establish patterns of behaviours that are not okay. These situations require close consideration to see whether further steps need to be taken before any progress is made in relation to the issues a client may have sought assistance for in the first place. This may mean utilising other services to create an exit plan from the relationship if you are the abused party, such as securing alternate accommodation, setting up independent bank accounts or obtaining a mental health care plan to help deal with the enormous pressure you would face if you left the relationship. It may also mean encouraging a client to obtain help from support groups to address the impacts of his or her behaviours in a real and meaningful way or to accept responsibility for harm caused if the same has evidently led to offences against family members and which have resulted in criminal proceedings.
Kirsten has extensive experience working with parties who would identify with both sides of this issue and understands this is not a straightforward problem. She is not afraid to call out bad behaviour when needed and will prioritise safety issues at each step as needed. Kirsten understands that, in order to deliver effective family law services, a holistic approach is required to address the safety concerns presented by family violence. She will collaborate with other third party professionals to encourage clients to move through this space safely and with a view to achieving outcomes that minimise or negate the safety concerns as far as is practicable.