Duty lawyer reaches out

Minh was waiting, alone, at the Magistrates Court all morning. When our duty lawyer approached her at lunch time to see if we could help, Minh advised that she doesn’t speak English, only Vietnamese. Our lawyer, who also speaks Vietnamese, took her to registry and discovered that no one had known she was there. The court had also failed to book an interpreter for Minh.

We offered to assist Minh, discovering that there were serious allegations of family violence against Minh’s husband, and that police had been granted an interim intervention order against him. He had been excluded from the family home by that order. He was not allowed to contact Minh or their children. We knew this situation was not about to change. Minh was very emotional and said she had no financial or social support in Australia other than her husband. She wanted her husband home as she was totally reliant on him.

We explained the court process and Australian law to Minh. She said that everything made more sense to her now. We told her the matter would be adjourned, and during that time her husband must step up to convince the court the previous behaviour would not happen again. In the meantime we took Minh to see the applicant support worker at court (and interpreted for her). We also referred her to The Orange Door, and asked registry to ensure there would be an interpreter for Minh next time.

The Orange Door helped Minh with emotional and material support. She got onto Centrelink. Her husband, thankfully, continued to pay the rent, and he undertook a Men’s Behaviour Change program.

At court next time we were gratified that Minh smiled when she saw us. She was much calmer and stronger. And while she still wanted her husband to be allowed home, she made it clear no bad behaviour would be tolerated.