Beneath the surface: Understanding family violence
Law Talk WA is a podcast for West Australians that provides real and relevant information about legal issues in our state.
This series is about family violence. Each episode features conversations with a panel of experts who share their knowledge and expertise, with helpful and practical tips along the way.
If you are interested in learning more about your rights, the law in Western Australia, and where you can go for help, listen now on:
Series 4 – Beneath the Surface: Understanding Family Violence
On-air from Monday 30 June 2025
In the fourth series of Law Talk WA, we centre on the major health and welfare issue of family violence. Across five episodes our experts explore coercive control scenarios, tips on how to stay safe when leaving your home due to family violence, what to do if you’re worried that your mortgage will go unpaid, challenges for multicultural and First Nations communities, behavioural change programs and supports for users of family violence and more.
Each episode has a specific focus, and includes helpful discussions, practical advice and information on support services available to people experiencing family violence.
- Episode 1 - Violence, abuse, control: Understanding Family Violence
- Episode 2 - Safety planning: Practical tips for keeping safe
- Episode 3 - Family Violence in First Nations and multicultural communities
- Episode 4 - Finding stability: Strategies for financial and housing issues caused by Family Violence
- Episode 5 - Resources for change: Advice and support for users of Family Violence
Beneath the Surface: Understanding Family Violence is hosted by Legal Aid WA, with subject matter experts from Circle Green Community Legal, Communicare, Consumer Credit Legal Service, Legal Aid WA, Northern Suburbs Community Legal Centre, Ovis, Sussex Street Community Law Services and Women’s Legal Service WA.
Episode 1 - Violence, abuse, control: Understanding Family Violence
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In this episode we discuss family violence – what it is, the various forms it can take (including an explainer on coercive control), and how the law addresses family violence. We also explore some of the main legal issues being faced by people experiencing family violence.
More about this episode
Episode 1 is hosted by Wibke Timmermann (Lawyer, Legal Aid WA) with guests:
- Michael Hovane (Manager, Solicitor and Family Violence Specialist, Legal Aid WA)
- Nicholas Snare (Principal Solicitor, Northern Suburbs Community Legal Centre)
- Julia (Solicitor, Restraining Orders and Family Law Practice, Sussex Street Community Law Services)
Episode 2 - Safety planning: Practical tips for keeping safe
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From abusive situations where family violence hasn’t yet fully escalated, to situations where a person has to suddenly leave their home due to family violence, we cover safety planning with practical tips, helpful hints on accessing support organisations, information on Family Violence Restraining Orders, and how family law can assist in keeping parents and children safe.
More about this episode
Episode 2 is hosted by Wibke Timmermann (Lawyer, Legal Aid WA) with guests:
- Michael Hovane (Manager, Solicitor and Family Violence Specialist, Legal Aid WA)
- Angela Perkins (Child and Youth Practice Lead, Ovis)
- Laura Daisley (Case Worker, Financial Abuse Legal Service, Consumer Credit Legal Service)
Episode 3 - Family Violence in First Nations and multicultural communities
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This episode is dedicated to the particular issues faced by First Nations people and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds who are in situations of family violence.
More about this episode
Episode 3 is hosted by Wibke Timmermann (Lawyer, Legal Aid WA) with guests:
- Florence Cruz Montalvo (Managing Solicitor, Early Intervention Services, Legal Aid WA)
- Stephanie Monck (Principal Legal Officer, Women's Legal Service WA)
- Renee Gill (Social Support Worker, Children's Court Protection Services, Legal Aid WA)
Episode 4 - Finding stability: Strategies for financial and housing issues caused by Family Violence
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What constitutes financial abuse? If you have left your home because of family violence, what options do you have if you are at risk of homelessness? What can you do if you’re worried your partner will drain all the money from your shared account? Or stop paying the mortgage? Have you been hurt as a result of a criminal offence?
In this episode we cover a range of scenarios, providing information around financial and housing issues caused by family violence.
More about this episode
Episode 4 is hosted by Wibke Timmermann (Lawyer, Legal Aid WA) with guests:
- April Small (Lawyer, Domestic Violence Legal Unit, Legal Aid WA)
- Leah Haines (Tenant Advocate, Circle Green Community Legal)
- Georgia Turco (Senior Solicitor, Financial Abuse Legal Service, Consumer Credit Legal Service)
- Shelley Henderson (Financial Counsellor, Northern Suburbs Community Legal Centre)
Episode 5 - Resources for change: Advice and support for users of Family Violence
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If you are worried about the way you’re treating your partner or family, this episode is for you.
In this final episode we provide advice and support for users of family violence. Our experts discuss the importance of taking responsibility and seeking supports to help change behaviour.
More about this episode
Episode 5 is hosted by Wibke Timmermann (Lawyer, Legal Aid WA) with guests:
- April Small (Lawyer, Domestic Violence Legal Unit, Legal Aid WA)
- Julia (Solicitor, Restraining Orders and Family Law Practice, Sussex Street Community Law Services)
- Nicholas Snare (Principal Solicitor, Northern Suburbs Community Legal Centre)
- Chris Majid (Senior Program Facilitator, Mens Behaviour Change, Communicare)
The Beneath the Surface: Understanding Family Violence series of Law Talk WA is brought to you by:
More information
To find more information on this topic visit the Family violence and your safety page or use the search function at the top of this page to search for specific issues.
Get help
You can get help by:
- contacting the Legal Aid WA Infoline on 1800 650 579 or Legal Yarn on 1800 319 803 for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander callers,
- contacting the Women's Domestic Violence Helpline on 1800 007 339,
- contacting Crisis Care on 1800 199 008,
- contacting your nearest Community Legal Centre, or
- contacting a Financial Counsellor. You can find your nearest Financial Counsellor via the National Debt Helpline website, or contacting the National Debt Helpline on 1800 007 007.