Jacinta Dwyer Research Internship applications open for 2025

The Jacinta Dwyer Research Internship is open to final year and honours students of law, social work, community development and financial counselling to undertake research aimed at delivering practice improvement and better outcomes for people experiencing family violence.   

Generously supported by the Victorian Magistrates’ Association, this internship gives students and early career professionals a unique opportunity to engage in real-world law reform work. 

Interns can see the justice system from multiple perspectives, learn from our lawyers, social workers, and financial counsellors, and contribute to projects that drive systemic improvements. 

Last year, Georgia Rowles became our inaugural Jacinta Dwyer Research Intern, researching the stress victim-survivors of family violence face when they’re forced to navigate multiple courts. For example, a woman might have to go to the Magistrates’ Court for intervention orders, and then the Family Court for parenting arrangements.   

The result is a compelling look at the critical gaps in the justice system, alongside ideas for reform that could have real-world impact on women’s safety and access to justice – exactly what the internship was designed to achieve.