SCU researchers grant to help children with challenges in family law system

SOUTHERN Cross University associate professor Georgina Dimopoulos has secured a significant grant for research to help children navigate the family law system and improve their wellbeing.

The Discovery Early Career Researcher Award is worth $528,629 over three years from the Australian Research Council.

It is the only project funded in the law and legal studies category and will focus on children’s participation in court matters and how they are treated as family violence victim-survivors.

According to the latest data from the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia, in the 2024–25 financial year, 86 per cent of parenting cases alleged family violence.

“All the research tells us that children feel as if adults are making decisions for them, not with them, when it comes to family law,” Dimopoulos said.

“Many have experienced family violence; we need to ensure the family court environment does not do them further harm.”

Dimopoulos is one of Australia’s leading socio-legal scholars on children’s rights and participation in family law.

She works at the Centre for Children and Young People at Southern Cross University.

Her work has seen her nominated for national awards and she has spent time in England at the University of Liverpool.

“I am looking to create a new practice framework for children’s participation in family law,” Dimopoulos said.

“One that is co-designed ethically with children, where they feel safe, one that values their voices and that can be used by all people who work and participate in the family law system, including judges, family court staff, lawyers and mediators.”

Dimopoulos led the Family Law 4 Kids toolkit, which was released earlier this year.

The toolkit was designed with children and young people aged 10 to 19 and provides information about navigating the family law system.

“Family Law 4 Kids responds to the repeated call from children that they want to be included in fundamental decisions about their lives, like who they live with and spend time with when their parents separate,” she said.

“With the grant, I hope to take this research even further, towards models for systemic change that can positively influence the lives of children affected by family violence.”