Family law parenting orders, breaches and their impact on children

"The three main drivers of non-compliance [with parenting orders] were concerns related to abusive, controlling or vindictive behaviour; very difficult relationship dynamics, including fear, domestic and family violence, safety concerns; and orders that do not suit the needs of children," said Dr Rae Kaspiew in this ANROWS webinar.

The webinar launched the second and final report within the ANROWS-funded project, “Compliance with and enforcement of family law parenting orders”, which you can read more about on the ANROWS website: https://www.anrows.org.au/project/com...

Conducted with the Australian Institute of Family Studies, this research project examined how the parenting order enforcement regime is working in Australia. It did so by canvassing a range of perspectives, from the views of parents and carers and legal professionals to judicial insights from court files. This research demonstrates that parenting orders failing to take children’s views into account, or family violence making the orders unsafe to comply with, are factors that can be drivers of non-compliance.

This webinar features a panel discussion among the report’s researchers and family law practitioners. It focuses upon the impact of breaches of parenting orders upon children and explores how the research findings might shape future reforms to achieve better outcomes for families with complex needs and long litigation histories.

The discussion is facilitated by Michele Robinson (Director, Evidence to Action, ANROWS) with:
Dr Rae Kaspiew, Research Director, Systems and Services, Australian Institute of Family Studies
Dr Rachel Carson, Executive Manager Family Law, Family Violence and Elder Abuse, Australian Institute of Family Studies
Dr Heidi Saunders, Clinical Psychologist, Carinity Talera
Michelle Hayward, Managing Solicitor, Family Law Practice, Aboriginal Legal Service (NSW/ACT)
Gabrielle Craig, Assistant Principal Solicitor, Women’s Legal Service NSW.

This webinar will be useful to policymakers, practice designers, practitioners and researchers working in family law, domestic and family violence and child-focused organisations.