Portable releases YourCase App to help family violence survivors

YourCase is built to support users navigating the justice system, from the moment they first engage with the system all the way through to the end of their court experience. It provides people with simple, accessible and practical information as well as text messages and notifications to remind people of court dates, along with the ability to capture and share important documents. The tool is currently in pilot in two locations, Ballarat and Heidelberg, Victoria, with the support of local police. 

YourCase was designed by Portable, a digital technology and innovation company based in Melbourne, and an international leader in design for justice. The company worked directly with survivors of family violence, police and case managers to co-design a better way of navigating court. 

“I didn’t have anybody to help guide me through or talk to me when I was going through this,” says Nicole Lee, a former member of the Victim Survivors’ Advisory Council and co-designer of YourCase. 

“I’m hoping YourCase can be that friend in your pocket, that wasn’t there for me during that time.” 

YourCase was supported by a group of partners including the Public Sector Innovation Fund in Victoria and the Federal Department of Social Services who provided funding and Victoria Police, Berry Street, Family Safety Victoria and the Victim Survivors’ Advisory Council who provided referrals and design advice. The Sir Zelman Cowen Centre is conducting the formal evaluation. 

Portable’s CEO says that YourCase helps put the experience of real people right in the centre of the court process. 

“After the Royal Commission, we saw the need to interrogate the journey that survivors of family violence go through and find ways that they can be supported across an incredibly daunting and complex process,” says Andrew Apostola. 

“I believe that all of our partners in this project recognise that if we can make the experience for people even slightly less painful, then it’s worthwhile,” says Mr Apostola. 

At this stage, YourCase is in a pilot phase, focusing on people attending court in Heidelberg and Ballarat, in Victoria, Australia, with the hope to roll it out more broadly across Australia. 

For more information about the creation of YourCase, please visit www.yourcase.com.au or download the project’s Define Report which provides an overview of our considerations, research and design of the product. You can also find out more about Portable’s work in justice by downloading Design for Justice. 

Andrew Apostola and Nicole Lee are available for public comment. Please contact Kate Cook and Hayley Hewitt on 1300 323 179 ext 1.