Gladstone Women’s Health provides information, referral and support at Gladstone and Biloela Magistrates courts on days when domestic and family violence matters are heard.
What we do
CASP is not a legal advice service. Our professional staff are there to help you navigate the court process and support you in court or when seeking legal counsel. We can be there in court as a supporter, give you information or point you in the direction, and we can go over documents with you and clarify anything you don’t understand. The level of support is directed by you, so please let our staff know the level of support you need when you first meet.
Who we help
CASP provides the following support free of charge for people involved in domestic and family violence matters. We also offer support for Aggrieved people in sexual assault matters. Please ask if there are specific supports you are after because we link with other agencies and may be able to point you in the right direction to get the help you need.
How we can help
- Specialist Domestic and Family Violence (DFV) knowledge, education and information to women and stakeholders
- Risk assessment and safety planning
- Assistance in the preparation of applications for domestic violence orders, variations to existing orders and information regarding interstate orders
- Explanation of conditions and enforcement of domestic violence orders and their implications
- Pre- and post-court support, information and referral to other support services
- Being present as a support person (not legal support) in court or when you are meeting with legal counsel on court day
- Liaising with court staff, police, police prosecution, duty lawyers to provide advocacy on behalf of women
- Providing ongoing case management to women between their court appearances
- Networking and liaising with local and state-wide agencies to continually improve processes
- Development and/or promotion of information resources specifically designed for women in relation to applying for protection orders and understanding court processes
- Encourage feedback to allow meaningful participation of women in service planning, design and evaluation
Eligibility
Our Court Advocacy and Support Program (CASP) is not income-assessed and is available to aggrieved people and male respondents. These are terms you will hear often if you go to court. Aggrieved people are those who have been impacted or affected by domestic violence, while respondents of domestic violence are people who have been accused of committing domestic violence. Eligibility is as follows:
| Magistrates Court | Matters relating to | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
| Gladstone | Domestic violence | Aggrieved females and males |
| Respondent females and males (with preference to Aggrieved persons) | ||
| Sexual assault | Aggrieved females and males | |
| Biloela | Domestic violence | Aggrieved females and males |
| Respondent females and males (with preference to Aggrieved persons) |
Your safety
Your safety is our priority and we have ways of making you safer at court, so please advise us as soon as possible of any concerns you have so we can put measures in place to protect your safety.
How to find us
You can phone us in advance of your court date or meet us inside court on the date of your appearance. The choice is yours, but if you are seeking a safety plan at court we do ask you notify us in advance by phoning (07) 4949 1456 / 1800 749 222 or emailing us at email hidden; JavaScript is required
Attending court
Courts have rules and they apply to everyone. There are rules for what you can and can’t do or bring to court, and others for how you dress or act in court. If you do the wrong thing or dress inappropriately, the Magistrate may reprimand you and ask you to leave.
Rules of the Court
- Turn off your mobile phone
- Bow your head to where the Magistrate sits when entering and leaving the court
- Turn off any alarms or watch or pager
- Do not talk unless called up to speak by the Judge or Magistrate
- Do not eat, drink or chew gum
- Do not smoke
- Do not record or publish and of the proceedings
- Remove your sunglasses and/or hat from your head
Court Attire
What to wear
- Suit (preferred but not essential)
- Collared shirt (not gaping or exposing body)
- Pants or knee-length shorts or long skirt
- Clean, closed-in shoes
- A jacket if you are representing yourself
- Clothes without rip, tears or holes
Don’t wear
- Singlets or singlet shirts
- Sleeveless blouses or tops
- Clothing with obscene or offensive wording or graphics
- Jeans
- Thongs
- Short shorts
- Mini skirts
- Sunglasses
- Hats or caps