Research launch: Family Problems in Victoria

Watch the launch video for our new companion PULS In brief publications.

Past event
Oct 9, 2025
11:00 am
Oct 9, 2025
11:30 am
Thursday, October 9, 2025
-
11:30 am
Oct 9, 2025
Online
Watch the launch video.

Prevalence and impact of family problems and Resolution and outcomes of family problems extract key insights from the Public Understanding of Law Survey (PULS) to investigate how Victorians experience family problems.

Our Senior Researchers, Yolanda Mansfield and Bethia Burgess, discuss what the new publications reveal about the complexity of navigating and resolving family problems, including the links to disadvantage and high unmet legal need.

They also explore what this research means for improving access to justice for Victorians, and how the research can support service design, policy, and reform.

Host

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Participants

Yolanda Mansfield
Senior Researcher
Victoria Law Foundation
Victoria Law Foundation
Dr Bethia Burgess
Senior Researcher
Victoria Law Foundation
Victoria Law Foundation

Participant details

Yolanda Mansfield

Yolanda Mansfield

Senior Researcher
Victoria Law Foundation

Yolanda brings extensive expertise in managing research and evaluation projects in the health and education sectors. She holds postgraduate qualifications in Assessment and Evaluation, alongside undergraduate degrees in Criminology and Behavioural Science. 

In her previous role at the Faculty of Business, Governance and Law at the University of Canberra, Yolanda was an integral part of a multidisciplinary team that successfully completed a multiphase evaluation of the Australian Defence Force’s “Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2018-2022” and Continuous Improvement Framework. 

Yolanda's work is characterised by her commitment to rigorous assessment and evaluation methodologies, ensuring impactful and sustainable outcomes in her projects.

Dr Bethia Burgess

Dr Bethia Burgess

Senior Researcher
Victoria Law Foundation

Bethia holds a PhD in Criminology and Development Studies, and a Master of International Relations from the University of Melbourne. Additionally, she earned undergraduate degrees in Law and Arts from the University of Western Australia. 

Throughout her career, Bethia has contributed to teaching, research, and practice-based initiatives with a focus on addressing structural injustices, promoting gender equality, and supporting community-driven agendas. She has been involved in research and evaluation at IWDA, the University of Melbourne, the Victorian Law Reform Commission, and Our Watch. 

Bethia is passionate about leveraging data-driven, innovative, and transformative solutions to enhance access to justice and address systemic marginalisation across Victoria.  

Bethia was born on Gunai Country, raised on Whadjuk Noongar Boodjar, and currently resides on the unceded lands of the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung people of the Kulin Nation.  

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Showcasing access to justice and legal need development

Connecting the justice, community and academic sectors around legal research and evaluation related to access to justice.