Family Law and Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) Communities Project
In 2003, this project commenced as a partnership between the Commission, the Migrant Resource Centre and the Multicultural Communities Council, with the assistance of a grant from the Law Foundation. It was designed, through consultation, to research culturally appropriate ways to educate culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities about Australian family law and family violence. In 2004, following consultation and research and the production of a Legal Education Kit, a Legal Education Officer was employed by the Commission to commence delivering legal education workshops to CALD clients.
Enough is Enough
In 2005, the Family Law and CALD Communities Project team collaborated with the Adelaide Registry of the Family Court of Australia and members of South Australia's African communities to celebrate Law Week. A mock trial, called "Enough is Enough" was staged in the Family Court. This was designed, with the assistance of a narrator, to educate new migrants about family law and the court process.
In 2007, the Commission produced a DVD resource based on the mock trial and of the same name.
Learning About the Law in Australia
Evaluation of the Family Law and CALD Communities Project in 2007 uncovered that there were community members who wanted to participate in our legal education workshops but were often unable to do so because of English language classes or difficulties arranging transport and childcare. As a result, the Commission formed a relationship with TafeSA English Language Services to provide legal education to new arrivals enrolled in the Commonwealth funded Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP).
In 2008, the Commission assisted TafeSA English Language Services to develop a series of books called "Learning About the Law in Australia". This series was designed to provide a basic awareness of Australian laws to adult migrants of non-English speaking backgrounds.