Advice: 
Families ought to be a place of safety, acceptance, care and growth for every person. There are extensive resources available in the community to help families to pursue this goal. These resources are available informally through relational and cultural networks and more formally through community sector organisations and Government initiatives.
It is now apparent, though, that the experience of family falls short of this goal for many in the Australian community. The Family Law system pays careful attention to the presence and effect of family violence when deciding what parenting arrangements should be put in place after separation. Any behaviour that leaves another family member feeling fearful or controlled may be regarded by the Family Law system as a form of family violence, and safety – both physical and psychological – is given the greatest weight in working out what parenting arrangements will be in the best interests of children.
Horizons Family Law Centre has been working with families experiencing family violence since 2005. Our Legal Practitioner Director, Steve Frost, was part of the Northern Sydney Regional Reference Group on Violence Against Women and the Ryde Hunters Hill Domestic Violence Committee from 2008-2013. Our team have completed specialist training on the dynamics of family violence and trauma informed dispute resolution.
We provide advice to:
- people who have experienced family violence and want to pursue a safer experience of family for themselves and their children; and
- people who have perpetrated family violence and want to offer a safer experience of family to their ex-partner and children.
In 2007-2008, we pioneered the delivery of legal help to clients identified by Family Relationship Centres as being affected by family violence and regularly act for parents affected by family violence in legally assisted mediations run in partnership with Family Relationship Centres across Western and Northern Sydney.
Families ought to be a place of safety, acceptance, care and growth for every person. There are extensive resources available in the community to help families to pursue this goal. These resources are available informally through relational and cultural networks and more formally through community sector organisations and Government initiatives.
It is now apparent, though, that the experience of family falls short of this goal for many in the Australian community. The Family Law system pays careful attention to the presence and effect of family violence when deciding what parenting arrangements should be put in place after separation. Any behaviour that leaves another family member feeling fearful or controlled may be regarded by the Family Law system as a form of family violence, and safety – both physical and psychological – is given the greatest weight in working out what parenting arrangements will be in the best interests of children.
Horizons Family Law Centre has been working with families experiencing family violence since 2005. Our Legal Practitioner Director, Steve Frost, was part of the Northern Sydney Regional Reference Group on Violence Against Women and the Ryde Hunters Hill Domestic Violence Committee from 2008-2013. Our team have completed specialist training on the dynamics of family violence and trauma informed dispute resolution.
We provide advice to:
- people who have experienced family violence and want to pursue a safer experience of family for themselves and their children; and
- people who have perpetrated family violence and want to offer a safer experience of family to their ex-partner and children.
In 2007-2008, we pioneered the delivery of legal help to clients identified by Family Relationship Centres as being affected by family violence and regularly act for parents affected by family violence in legally assisted mediations run in partnership with Family Relationship Centres across Western and Northern Sydney.
Families ought to be a place of safety, acceptance, care and growth for every person. There are extensive resources available in the community to help families to pursue this goal. These resources are available informally through relational and cultural networks and more formally through community sector organisations and Government initiatives.
It is now apparent, though, that the experience of family falls short of this goal for many in the Australian community. The Family Law system pays careful attention to the presence and effect of family violence when deciding what parenting arrangements should be put in place after separation. Any behaviour that leaves another family member feeling fearful or controlled may be regarded by the Family Law system as a form of family violence, and safety – both physical and psychological – is given the greatest weight in working out what parenting arrangements will be in the best interests of children.
Horizons Family Law Centre has been working with families experiencing family violence since 2005. Our Legal Practitioner Director, Steve Frost, was part of the Northern Sydney Regional Reference Group on Violence Against Women and the Ryde Hunters Hill Domestic Violence Committee from 2008-2013. Our team have completed specialist training on the dynamics of family violence and trauma informed dispute resolution.
We provide advice to:
- people who have experienced family violence and want to pursue a safer experience of family for themselves and their children; and
- people who have perpetrated family violence and want to offer a safer experience of family to their ex-partner and children.
In 2007-2008, we pioneered the delivery of legal help to clients identified by Family Relationship Centres as being affected by family violence and regularly act for parents affected by family violence in legally assisted mediations run in partnership with Family Relationship Centres across Western and Northern Sydney.
Thank you for your continued and highly valued collaboration, support and high quality trauma informed services that you and your team provide to all clients experiencing family violence. Your strong committment, extensive and high level experience, knowledge and skills in the field of family violence and trauma are highly valued and reflected in all the interventions you provide to the women and children experiencing family violence who provide us with their very positive feedback.