HELP Toolkit: Identifying and Responding to Family Violence for Family Law Legal Advisers – HELP Guide

PDF Version

HELP Approach

*Designed to be used flexibly in your practice*

HELP Approach

HELP Approach

HELP Approach – Text version

This image outlines the steps in the HELP approach and is intended to provide an overview of the approach on one page. The information here is a high level visual summary of how to discuss family violence with your client.

Along the left side of the image are the letters H, E, L and P in different coloured pentagons. These letters form the acronym “HELP”. Down the centre of the page, to the right of each pentagon, there are boxes that contain a brief description of what each letter stands for as well as other important considerations.

The box corresponding to the “H” says, “Have an initial discussion about family violence (FV). Ask questions and be aware of the potential indicators. HELP Guide Section H” (box 1). From the bottom of this box, there is an arrow leading to a second box that corresponds to the E polygon. This box says, “Explore immediate risk and safety concerns. Make referrals as appropriate. HELP Guide Section E” (box 2).

From the bottom of this box, there are two arrows:

The first arrow on the left leads to the statement “If FV is not disclosed/suspected”. The arrow then points to a box below that says, “Check in with your client over the course of the case. See HELP Guide Section P” (box 3). There is an arrow from the right of box 3 that leads to the statement, “If FV is disclosed/suspected”. This arrow then leads to a box on the far right of the image that says, “Do you have sufficient time and is your client ok to proceed?” (box 4).

The second arrow on the right from box 2 leads to the statement, “If FV is disclosed/suspected”. The arrow continues to box 4 (mentioned above) that says, “Do you have sufficient time and is your client ok to proceed?”

Box 4 has an arrow coming from the bottom that splits to the left and right paths. The arrow on the left states “Yes” and leads directly to the box that describes the L component (see below). The path on the right states “No” and then leads to a box that says, “Revisit the discussion about FV in a subsequent meeting” (box 5). From box 5, there is an arrow pointing to the left that leads to the box that describes the L component (see below).

The box containing the description of the L component is to the right of the L polygon. This box says, “Learn more about the FV to help you determine what to recommend to your client. Ask about the different forms of FV to gather more details about their experiences. HELP Guide Section L” (box 6).

From the bottom of box 6, there is an arrow that leads to the box for the P component (box 7). This box is to the right of the P polygon and says, “Promote safety throughout the family law case. Remember to check in with your client over the course of the case, as there may be new disclosures, new incidents, or escalating violence. HELP Guide Section P.” A final arrow leads from the bottom of box 7 to a box that says, “Use the information collected to inform your legal advice. Legal Response Guide” (box 8).