The Law Handbook 2024

50 Section 1: Understanding our laws and courts Therapeutic treatment orders If a child aged between 10 and 18 years has exhibited sexually abusive behaviour, the DFFH may apply to the court that the child be placed on a therapeutic treatment order. Typically, such orders require counselling (during a 12-month order). Satisfactory completion of a therapeutic treatment order generally enables the child to avoid what constituted the sexually abusive behaviour being dealt with in a way that may have resulted in a criminal record. In more extreme cases, a child may be placed on a therapeutic treatment (placement) order. Such an order gives the DFFH responsibility equivalent to the child being placed on a family reunification order. Contacts Children’s Court of Victoria Melbourne CBD location: 477 Little Lonsdale Street, Melbourne Vic 3000 Tel: 8638 3300 Email: melbourneregistry@courts.vic.gov.au Web: www.childrenscourt.vic.gov.au The Children’s Court hears matters at locations throughout metropolitan and country Victoria; see the court’s website for addresses. Children’s Koori Court of Victoria Melbourne CBD location: 477 Little Lonsdale Street, Melbourne Vic 3000 Tel: 8638 3377 Web: www.childrenscourt.vic.gov.au/criminal-division/ koori-court The Children’s Koori Court also hears matters in Bairnsdale, Dandenong, Geelong, Hamilton, Heidelberg, Mildura, Morwell, Portland, Shepparton, Swan Hill and Warrnambool; see the court’s website for addresses. Neighbourhood Justice Centre’s Children’s Court 241 Wellington Street, Collingwood Vic 3066 Tel: 9087 5739 Email: njc@justice.vic.gov.au Web: www.neighbourhoodjustice.vic.gov.au The Neighbourhood Justice Centre is a community justice centre. It is unique in Australia for its wrap-around court and social services approach. Victorian Government Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH) Tel: 1300 475 170 Web: www.dffh.vic.gov.au