In Western Australian courts, many matters are resolved by alternative dispute resolution. Conferencing is a less formal environment than going before the court. It allows parties to ask procedural questions and to get an understanding of each other's issues. It is a safe method of alternative dispute resolution and is expected to resolve a high number of family violence restraining order (FVRO) matters. Conferencing allows the registrar to make orders that are more flexible than ordinary court orders as they are tailored to suit the individual needs of the parties. When making orders at the conference, the registrar will explain the purpose of the orders, which helps parties to understand the effect of the orders and each party's rights and obligations under the orders. The Sussex Street Community Law Service lawyer will work with you as the respondent to a FVRO to ensure that: 1. Your rights are maintained. 2. You are guided through the process in accordance with the Guiding Principles (Section 10B of the Restraining Orders Act 1997- Principles to be observed in performing functions in relation to FVROs). 3. Our duties to the Court are maintained. ​ ​

Initially, conferencing will only be available for family violence restraining order applications lodged at Magistrates Courts in WA. See Court Locations and Contacts.(https://magistratescourt.wa.gov.au/C/court_locations_contacts.aspx)

No, this process is not compolsory. However, your matter will be listed for a conference unless both the respondent and the applicant have chosen to opt out of conferencing. ​

If you are the applicant, you may opt out of the conference when you lodge the form “Information for an application for a Family Violence Restraining Order or Violence Restraining Order”. Application - Family Violence Restraining Order or Violence Restraining Order (PDF)(https://magistratescourt.wa.gov.au/_files/Application_Family_Violence_Restraining_Order.pdf) Listen(https://docreader.readspeaker.com/docreader/?jsmode=1&cid=cfnmi&lang=en_au&url=https%3A%2F%2Fmagistratescourt.wa.gov.au%2F_files%2FApplication_Family_Violence_Restraining_Order.pdf&referer=https%3A%2F%2Fmagistratescourt.wa.gov.au%2F&v=Google%20Inc.) Application - Family Violence Restraining Order or Violence Restraining Order (Word) (undefined) Listen(https://docreader.readspeaker.com/docreader/?jsmode=1&cid=cfnmi&lang=en_au&url=https%3A%2F%2Fmagistratescourt.wa.gov.au%2F_files%2FApplication_Family_Violence_Restraining_Order.doc&referer=https%3A%2F%2Fmagistratescourt.wa.gov.au%2F&v=Google%20Inc.) On page 3, you will be asked “If conferencing is available, do you object to the matter being listed for a Conference?”. If you object to the conference (decline), you must place a cross in the box marked “yes”. https://static.wixstatic.com/media/undefined At the interim hearing, the magistrate may ask you again if you wish to opt in or out of the conference and provide further information about conferencing. If you are the respondent, you may opt out of the conference when you lodge the objection with the court. On the Objection Form, you will be asked “If conferencing is available, do you object to the matter being listed for a Conference?”. If you object to the conference (decline), you must place a box in the box marked “yes”. https://static.wixstatic.com/media/undefined Regardless of whether you are the applicant or the respondent, if there is no response provided to the conferencing question, the court will assume that you do not object to the matter being listed for a conference and conferencing will go ahead.

عندما ترغب في إعادة الاشتراك في المؤتمر ، يجب أن تكتب إلى المحكمة لطلب إدراج المسألة في المؤتمر. يمكنك تقديم الخطاب إلى المحكمة بدون وصفة طبية ، أو بإرسال بريد إلكتروني إلى موقع المحكمة حيث تم تقديم الطلب. للحصول على قائمة بأرقام هواتف المحكمة وعناوين البريد الإلكتروني ، يرجى الاطلاع على صفحة مواقع المحاكم وجهات الاتصال . (https://magistratescourt.wa.gov.au/C/court_locations_contacts.aspx) يمكنك الاشتراك في عقد المؤتمرات في أي مرحلة حتى 28 يومًا قبل جلسة الاستماع النهائية. يتيح ذلك وقتًا كافيًا لإعادة تخصيص تاريخ جلسة الاستماع النهائية لمسألة أخرى. عندما يتم تمثيلك أنت أو الطرف الآخر قانونًا ، فمن الأفضل لك نسخ الممارسين القانونيين في مراسلات مع المحكمة. إذا كنا نمثلك قانونيًا في شارع Sussex ، فيمكنك الاتصال بنا عبر البريد الإلكتروني أو الهاتف. (javascript:void(0)) في حالة عدم تمثيل أي من الطرفين قانونًا ، ستتصل المحكمة بالطرف الآخر لإبلاغه بأنك قد اخترت العودة إلى المؤتمر. من المهم أن تتذكر أنه لمجرد أنك اشتركت ، فهذا لا يعني أن مسألتك سيتم إدراجها تلقائيًا في المؤتمر. يجب ألا يكون كلا الطرفين قد اختار عدم المشاركة في المؤتمرات حتى يتم إدراج هذه المسألة في المؤتمر.

Sussex Street Community Law Service(http://www.sscls.asn.au/) Sussex Street Community Law Service is a not-for-profit non-government community-based organisation that provides access to accountable, non-judgmental and effective legal and social services to low-income people in the community. At the Perth Magistrates Court, we appear as legal counsel in family violence restraining order "shuttle" conferencing as well as provide a respondent duty lawyer service. Phone: (08) 6253 9500 Contact us(javascript:void(0)) Aboriginal Family Law Service (https://www.afls.org.au/)provides legal and community education services for all Aboriginal people, who have experienced family or domestic violence, sexual assault, including men, women and children. Phone: 1800 469 246 Aboriginal Legal Service of Western Australia (https://www.als.org.au/)provides legal representation and support services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Western Australia. The service provides information, support and referrals for people affected by family and domestic violence (including safety planning, risk assessment, court support, and assistance in bringing applications for family violence restraining orders). Phone: (08) 9265 6666 Free call: 1800 019 900 After hours: (08) 9265 6644 Community Legal Centres Association of Western Australia(https://www.communitylegalwa.org.au/Pages/FAQs/Category/clc-location?Take=56) Services provided may include legal information, advice and representation to individuals and groups. Most services are free or very low cost. Phone: (08) 9221 9322 Fremantle Community Legal Centre (FCLC) (https://www.fremantle.wa.gov.au/fclc)is not-for-profit organisation, which provides legal services to financially disadvantaged and vulnerable members of the community (prioritises victims of violence, CaLD and Indigenous clients). The centre provides assistance with legal advice in family law, protection and care, criminal injuries compensation claim, tenancy and social security matters. FCLC also provides document drafting, court representation at the Fremantle Magistrates Court for family violence restraining order matters, limited representation in Family and Chidren's Court of WA, mediation, information and referrals and non-legal support. Phone: (08) 9432 9790 Northern Suburbs Community Legal Centre(https://www.nsclegal.org.au/) Northern Suburbs Community Legal Centre aims to provide clients with a service that is specific to their needs. They understand that legal and social matters can be complex and often require a combination of legal, social and financial support. The Joondalup office provides a respondent duty lawyer service at the Joondalup Magistrates Court, which is the only one of its type in Western Australia. They also appear as legal counsel in family violence restraining order shuttle conferencing at the Joondalup Magistrates Court. Joondalup Phone: (08) 9301 4413 Mirrabooka Phone: (08) 9440 1663 Law Society of Western Australia(https://www.lawsocietywa.asn.au/) The Law Society of Western Australia is the peak professional association for lawyers in Western Australia. This website provides a search facility to find Law Society members with experience in particular areas of law and assistance to find contact details if you already have the name of a lawyer. Level 4, 160 St Georges Tce, Perth Western Australia 6000 Phone: (08) 9324 8600 Fax: (08) 9324 8699 Email: info@lawsocietywa.asn.au Office Hours: 9:00am to 4:00pm Postal address: PO Box Z5345, Perth WA 6831 Legal Aid WA (https://www.legalaid.wa.gov.au/LegalAidServices/specialist/Pages/DomesticViolenceLegalUnit.aspx)advises and assists women about legal matters including family law and children's matters. Phone: 1300 650 579

Below is a list of support services. Some of these support services are specifically tailored to men or women and FVRO applicants or FVRO respondents. 1800RESPECT (https://www.1800respect.org.au/)is a telephone service that offers confidential counselling support, information and referral options for anyone impacted be family violence or sexual assault. This service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Phone: 1800 737 732 Aboriginal Family Support Service (https://connectgroups.org.au/directory/listing/aboriginal-grandparent-and-family-support)aims to support and strengthen Aboriginal families through the generations. Their program provides information, advocacy, referrals as well as group activities, respite camps and peer support groups. Phone: (08) 6330 5400 Anglicare WA (https://www.anglicarewa.org.au/get-help/family-and-domestic-violence)provides support and advocacy to adult victims of family and domestic violence. Anglicare can provide a range of services including referrals to agencies, support with legal and court proceedings, police liaison and emotional support services. Phone: 1300 11 44 46 Centrecare (https://www.centrecare.com.au/)is a Catholic not-for-profit community services organisation, delivering professional counselling, support mediation and training services throughout Perth, Goldfields, Esperance and South Western regions of Western Australia. It operates a telephone hotline, counselling and help programmes. It offers crisis-specific and long-term post crisis support. Phone: (08) 9325 6644 Crisis Care (https://www.dcp.wa.gov.au/CrisisAndEmergency/Pages/CrisisCare.aspx)is a telephone information and counselling service for people in crisis needing urgent held, including those escaping family violence. This service operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Phone: (08) 9223 1111 Department of Communities’ Domestic Violence Help Page(https://www.wa.gov.au/service/community-services/counselling-services/family-and-domestic-violence-support-and-advice) The Department of Communities provides a domestic violence help page, which links to a range of services, including services specific to CaLD people, people of diverse sex, sexuality and gender and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Phone: (08) 6217 6888 Free call: 1800 176 888 Family Relationship Centre(https://www.relationshipswa.org.au/services/mediation/mediation-at-family-relationship-centres/perth-family-relationship-centre) This service provides information about family relationships at all stages. If you are parents experiencing separation, the Family Relationship Centre can help you focus on your children’s needs and help you decide what to do next. Phone: (08) 6164 0300 Health Direct - Domestic violence against men(https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/domestic-violence-against-men) Domestic violence can happen to anyone, including men. Violence or abuse from somebody close to you can be devastating and have a negative effect on your mental and physical health. It’s important to know that you don’t have to go through it alone and that help is out there. Weblink: Men's Domestic Violence Helpline | healthdirect(https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/australian-health-services/healthcare-service/virtual/men-s-domestic-violence-helpline/general-counselling/6a3ef10a-9675-0f68-9c13-725d1559f795) Lifeline (https://www.lifeline.org.au/)provides services that aim to prevent suicide, support people in crisis and create opportunities for emotional wellbeing. Phone: 131 114 MensLine Australia(https://mensline.org.au/) With MensLine Australia’s online counselling, you can access free professional support, no matter where you are in Australia. Their qualified counsellors specialise in family and relationship issues, including relationship breakdown, separation and divorce, parenting, family violence, suicide prevention and emotional well-being. Phone: 1300 78 99 78 Men’s Domestic Violence Helpline(https://www.dcp.wa.gov.au/CrisisAndEmergency/Pages/Men%27s-Domestic-Violence-Helpline.aspx) Provides counselling and referrals for male perpetrators as well as male victims of family and domestic violence. Phone: (08) 9223 1199 Free call: 1800 007 339 Multicultural Women’s Advocacy Service(https://www.dvrcv.org.au/multicultural-women%E2%80%99s-advocacy-service) This service is available to women, who are recent arrivals or long- term residents of multicultural background. They may be in crisis situations, refuges, still remaining in their relationships or re-establishing themselves into the community after leaving a refuge. Phone: (08) 9328 1200 Relationships Australia Western Australia (https://relationshipswa.org.au/services/domestic-violence)provides a range of counselling, mediation and educational services, including relationship and family counselling, specialist family violence counselling, post separation services, trauma support services, services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and elder relationship services. Phone: 1300 364 277 Salvation Army(https://www.salvationarmy.org.au/locations/western-australia/our-services/womens-support/) Provides assistance in a variety of ways including financial counselling, accommodation and homelessness support and food. Phone: (08) 9328 8529 Sexual Assault Resource Centre (https://www.kemh.health.wa.gov.au/our-services/service-directory/sarc)provides a range of free services to people affected by sexual violence. Phone: (08) 6458 1828 Free call: 1800 199 888 St Vincent de Paul Society (https://www.vinnies.org.au/page/Contacts/WA/)can provide assistance in a variety of ways, including direct assistance, emergency housing, homelessness support, food, domestic and family violence. Phone: (08) 6323 7500 Uniting WA (formally Uniting Care West) (https://unitingwa.org.au/services/families/domestic-violence-support/)provides free and confidential support to all Aboriginal women, who are experiencing or are at risk of family and domestic violence. Their Indigenous Family Violence Program offers counselling, mediation, advocacy and practical assistance. Phone: 1300 663 298 Women’s Domestic Violence Helpline (https://www.dcp.wa.gov.au/CrisisAndEmergency/Pages/Women%27s-Domestic-Violence-Helpline.aspx)provides support and counselling for women experiencing family and domestic violence. It is a state-wide service and operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Phone: (08) 9223 1188 Freecall: 1800 007 339

Family Violence Service is available from the Department of Justice’s Court and Tribunal Services Division. The service provides information and support to family violence victims, who are involved in the court system or wish to make application for a family violence restraining order. Please contact Family Violence Service for further information. Contact details: Family Violence Service Phone: 1800 600 476 Email: FamilyViolenceService@justice.wa.gov.au Web: Department of Justice Court Counselling and Support Services(https://www.wa.gov.au/service/community-services/counselling-services/court-counselling-and-support-services)

The Department of Justice provides the following service: Aboriginal Mediation Service The Aboriginal Mediation Service (AMS) assists Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to resolve conflicts before they escalate into violence or result in court action by providing an effective and culturally appropriate dispute resolution service. Contact details: Level 23, David Malcolm Justice Centre 28 Barrack Street Perth WA 6000 Telephone: (08) 9264 6176 Freecall: 1800 045 577 Email: aboriginalmediationservice@justice.wa.gov.au

Call 000 now if you, a child or another person is in immediate danger. Call police on 13 14 44 to report an incident of family or domestic violence. Dial 0403 227 478 for SMSAssist, a text messaging service for people who are deaf, hard of hearing and speech impaired to contact police for assistance. For alternative ways to contact Sussex Street Community Law Service, please see our Contact Us page.(javascript:void(0)) For a list of Court numbers, please see the Court locations and Contacts page.(https://magistratescourt.wa.gov.au/C/court_locations_contacts.aspx) For more resources and national contacts, please call 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732). For Men's Domestic Violence Helpline, please call (08) 9223 1199 or freecall 1800 000 599. For Women's Domestic Violence Helpline, please call (08) 9223 1188 or freecall 1800 007 339.