Rowan King goes full circle for DV advocacy
Principal lawyer, Rowan King was invited recently to lecture at James Cook University. The subject? Domestic Violence Advocacy – an area of law in which Rowan has extensive experience and wisdom to share with up-and-coming future lawyers.
How to speak with victims
Speaking from exactly the same room where he spent many years as a student, Rowan’s advice stressed the critical importance of trauma-informed communication – understanding the fear and trauma experienced by victims, and adapting conversations – it’s not always about quoting the regulations, but speaking in plain language that addresses the victim’s concerns, to bring hope and knowledge at a time of crisis.
Advice for junior lawyers
Rowan noted that many junior lawyers will be given DV work early in their careers, so it’s important to remember the stakes in these matters can be very high. So it’s crucial to develop a strong case theory, understanding the relevant laws and procedures, and thoroughly preparing the evidence to build credibility as a DV advocate. He gave examples of how junior lawyers might overlook important evidence or make assumptions about clients’ instructions and he encouraged students to question any unreasonable or unethical instructions.
Rowan also discussed upcoming changes to domestic violence laws in Queensland, including the potential for police protection notices to be issued without a court review. Rowan is an outspoken advocate for DV, and he expressed concerns about potential misidentification of offenders and limited access to justice for vulnerable people.
Bringing hope, making a difference
Throughout the presentation, King talked about how rewarding and meaningful it can be to work in the domestic violence field. He asked students to think about how they can use their law degrees to bring hope and make a positive difference in people’s lives. He also shared his personal stories of using his legal skills to support advocacy in Papua New Guinea, emphasising the importance of helping others beyond our own communities.
Find Rowan’s lecture via the RK Law Facebook page, with thanks to James Cook University.
