Rachel Moody

Rachel Moody is a socio-legal researcher with expertise in family law, family violence and sexual violence. Rachel is a Senior Research Officer in the Family, Domestic and Sexual Violence team in the Family Law, Family Violence and Elder Abuse Research Program at the Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS).

Rachel is also the Secretariat of the Family Law Council – a statutory body with a broad and continuing role in reviewing, advising and making recommendations to the Attorney–General about the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth) and other family law issues. Rachel provides practical, administrative and research support to the Council.

Prior to joining AIFS, Rachel worked as a law clerk in pro bono community legal practice, and as a family lawyer in private legal practice. While working in the family law sector, Rachel also developed her experience and expertise as a researcher – analysing family law jurisprudence and systems, with a particular focus on economic justice and family violence. Rachel presented some of her research findings, alongside Professor Robyn Carroll of the University of Western Australia, at the AIFS Conference in 2022.

Since joining AIFS in 2023, Rachel has worked across a variety of research teams and contributed to a diverse range of projects. Her recent work has involved research into:

• sexual violence prevention and response strategies
• the Family Relationships Services Program
• the needs of people with disability outside the National Disability Insurance Scheme
• the abuse and mistreatment of older First Nations and LGBTIQA+ people
• the potentially harmful impacts of pornography with violent themes (which Rachel spoke about at the Australian Institute of Criminology Conference in 2025).

Rachel maintains her legal expertise by contributing to AIFS’ research and submissions on legal concepts and systems – particularly in relation to family law. She recently conducted a review and update of National Legal Aid’s data base of case law for Independent Children’s Lawyers. Rachel also co-authored a national educational resource about false assumptions and stereotypes about sexual assault, designed specifically for professionals in the justice system. She presented on this resource (alongside co-author Dr Nina Hudson) at the AIFS Conference in 2024.