Podcasts, powerpoints and/or papers from the presentations are available to LEADR members and
'kon gres 2011 participants via a password protected area. Click here >>

Find out about and comment on a coordinated model currently being piloted which addresses issues of safety for women and children in an FDR process?

In 2009 Women’s Legal Service, Brisbane was commissioned by the Federal Attorney-General’s Department to develop a model of family dispute resolution (FDR) appropriate for use in matters where there is a history of family violence. The model developed, Coordinated Family Dispute Resolution, harnesses a multidisciplinary approach to FDR within a system, framework and structure that supports a focus on continuous risk assessment, and safe processes and outcomes.

Through a coordinated, case managed approach, CFDR provides victims and perpetrators of family violence with special assistance to participate effectively in FDR to achieve safe outcomes that are in the best interests of the children of the relationship.

CFDR is being piloted in five locations in Australia: Newcastle, Western Sydney, Hobart, Perth and a Brisbane-based telephone service. The pilots are being evaluated by the Australian Institute of Family Studies with a view to assessing the sustainability of the model in practice, and to inform future FDR practice in general.

This session explores why the CFDR model is necessary, explains how it works and offers participants an opportunity to discuss its elements.

This session will be interactive and discursive. Key questions for audience input and response will be integrated throughout the powerpoint slide presentation to encourage discussion and feedback. The audience will be asked to input their own perspectives from FDR practice, and from working with victims and perpetrators of family violence, in response to the CFDR model.

Podcast: Listen to Rachel talk about this session pre-kon gres (9 mins) >>