A seminar to help unravel the complexity of laws relating to domestic violence will be held in Brisbane, from 8.45am to 12.30pm on Friday, August 3.

This event at the State Library in Stanley Place, Southbank, is being convened by the Queensland Centre for Domestic and Family Violence Research (based at CQUniversity).

Centre Director Heather Nancarrow says navigating the legal system can be difficult for anyone, at any time.

"For many victims of domestic violence, this may involve a labyrinth of laws at the state and federal level," Ms Nancarrow says.

"For instance, State-based domestic violence laws provide a civil law system of protection orders and may invoke Magistrates' powers to make, vary or revoke federal family law orders relating to children.

"The state Child Protection Act 1999 may also be invoked where there is evidence that children are at significant risk of harm from exposure to domestic violence, and the civil domestic violence laws are intended to be used in conjunction with state criminal laws, where there is evidence of a crime, such as an assault or rape. Federal immigration law may also be required in cases where the victim, most often a woman, has been brought to Australia on a spouse or fiancée visa and forced to leave the relationship because of domestic violence". 

The seminar includes four presenters: Dr Rae Kaspiev from the Australian Institute of Family Studies; Zoe Rathus AM from Griffith University Law School; Professor Heather Douglas from the TC Beirne School of Law at University of Queensland; and Raquel Aldunate of the Refugee and Immigration Legal Service.

Ms Nancarrow says that there have been significant developments in these areas of law recently.

"The seminar aims to bring current knowledge about these developments to practitioners and others working in the domestic violence prevention field so they, in turn, are able to provide best possible support to victims of violence needing to navigate the system," she says. 

The seminar will be video-recorded for the production of a DVD for professional development purposes. Entry will not be permitted after 9 am to ensure minimal disruption to the presenters and the recording.