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❓ Question addresses the lack of separate waiting areas in WA Magistrates' Courts for FDV cases and the number of FDV matters heard in courtrooms not meeting privacy/safety standards. The answer reveals a significant number of courts lack separate waiting areas, but data on courtroom standards is not maintained.

AnsweredQoN 399Legislative Council

Asked

12 August 2025

Member

Hon Michelle Boylan

Portfolio

Attorney General

QuestionView source ↗

I refer to the Magistrates Court Infrastructure and Family and Domestic Violence (FDV) Case Handling, and I ask: (a) how many Western Australian magistrates’ courts currently lack separate waiting areas or entrances for family and domestic violence complaints and respondents; and (b) for each financial year since 2022, how many FDV-related matters were heard in courtrooms that did not meet privacy or safety standards as identified by the 2020 report of the Community Development and Justice Standing Committee?

AnswerView source ↗

Answered

17 September 2025

Responded by

Parliamentary Secretary to the Attorney General

Response time

10 days

(a) 15. There are, however, a number of legislative and procedural supports for victim-survivors and witnesses in family and domestic violence matters, including the ability to give evidence remotely.
(b) The Department of Justice does not maintain data of this nature.

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