^{04 September 2013 - A seminar on Australia’s Family Law, domestic violence and child support assessment was conducted on August 23 by Filipino-Australian solicitor Atty. Virginia Odtojan for the personnel of the Philippine Consulate General in Sydney to further enhance their capability in addressing cases of violence against women and children involving members of the Filipino community in New South Wales (NSW).} 

^{Atty. Odtojan has over a decade of legal practice specializing in family, immigration and commercial law. She gave an overview of relevant Australian legislation addressing domestic violence particularly Family Law. She also discussed the definition of domestic violence and that it may be inflicted in various forms such as physically, sexually, emotionally, socially or financially.}

^{Atty. Odtojan said that under Australian law, priority is given to the immediate safety and well-being of the individual, thus, it is of utmost importance to get victims of domestic violence out of harm’s way. She provided information on the kinds of services that agencies in New South Wales can provide to victims of domestic violence such as financial assistance, housing, counselling and compensation for damages.}

^{At the end of the seminar, Consul General Anne Jalando-on Louis acknowledged with appreciation the valuable information and insights shared by Atty. Odtojan with the Consulate’s personnel. She said that the information will be disseminated by the Consulate to the Filipino community organizations and groups in NSW to help empower Filipino women who might be in situations of domestic violence but who are afraid to come forward to seek help.} 

^{The seminar is part of the Consulate’s Personnel Development Program and ongoing efforts to further improve delivery of consular services and assistance to Filipino nationals in distress. END}