On 4 May 2025 the Brisbane Lions hosted their annual 'Domestic and Family Violence prevention Round' at the Gabba, where they took on the Gold Coast Suns. The Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia's Chief Justice Will Alstergren AO attended the game to amplify his call for early prevention measures to stop family violence.
The Chief Justice said:
"Family violence is just not on. The statistics in our Courts indicate that family violence is becoming even more prevalent. Literally, hundreds of thousands of Australians are suffering from this appalling behaviour each year and many never recover. It is clear that something must be done. We need to prevent this behaviour before it occurs, and it is men that have the biggest role to play. Men need to become part of the conversation
Before play began, the Chief Justice was joined in an on-ground interview by Carolyn Robinson, founder of Beyond DV, a charity pioneering innovative approaches to family violence prevention. Beyond DV recently launched its 'Ask a Mate' app, which was designed to give young men aged 13-18 evidence-based, relatable, and bite-sized video advice on relationships, consent, emotions, masculinity, and gender equity.
The Chief Justice said:
"This App is an excellent initiative and proves that we can make a real difference. Men need to create change in other men and boys, and light the way forward to a positive and accountable future. We need to encourage men and boys to be better people. Male leaders, family members, colleagues, mates and team members, need to step up, because prevention driven by individual members of the community has the dual benefit of preventing violence in one's own circle, but also changing community attitudes, one person at a time."
The Chief Justice also showcased a video he produced, featuring prominent Australians from sport and entertainment, appealing to young men against engaging in family violence. The video incorporates messages from Hugh Jackman AC, Eric Bana, Travis Fimmel, Usman Khawaja, Vance Joy, Hamish Blake, Harris Andrews and more. The video was broadcast on the big screen at half time to a Gabba full of Brisbane Lions and Gold Coast Suns fans.
The Chief Justice said:
"Men who hold leadership positions, especially in an area that sees some of the worst of gendered violence, should feel compelled to be part of the push for change. For Australians, sport is the perfect arena in which to start these conversations. The Brisbane Lions' Domestic and Family Violence prevention round will raise awareness, and it should also prompt much more significant investment in the wrap around services that are supporting women and children who are victim-survivors of family violence, and also for men who are using violence, to help them capitalise on the opportunity to change their harmful behaviour."
The Federal Circuit and Family Court's response to family violence
The Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia has implemented a number of initiatives to protect victim-survivors and focus on the safety of litigants and children. We know that 80% of all parenting matters in the family court involve allegations of family violence. In response to this finding and the growing recognition of the national crisis of family violence in Australia, the Courts have undertaken a number of reforms, including:
- a redesigned case management pathway reducing the duration of 80% of matters to 12 months (and within an average time of 6.5 months);
- digital transformation to promote efficiency and equal access to justice, particularly for those in regional and rural areas and those that face serious risks attending court in person;
- the creation of Lighthouse, an internationally award-winning risk screening, triage, and case management pathway for high-risk matters involving family violence, so that the Courts are assessing and managing risk at the earliest opportunity;
- the rollout of Safe & Together training to judges and staff;
- information sharing with law enforcement and child protection agencies to obtain accurate information about risk and enable fast action in the event that risks escalate; and
- an Indigenous Family Liaison Program and Specialist Indigenous Lists to promote access to justice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families, enabling First Nations families to make family-led decisions, keeping kids safe and connected to community and culture.
The Courts also held a Family Violence Symposium in April 2024, where leaders at the forefront of preventing and responding to family violence came together with the key stakeholders in the Courts to share expertise and map an ambitious path forward.
