We are busier than usual at the moment
We may not be able to book you in for an appointment to speak with one of our lawyers.
If we can’t book you in for an appointment we will try to find a legal service who may be able to help you.
Our Services
We provide women experiencing relationship breakdown and family violence free legal support, advice, and representation.
We understand you might need more than legal advice, so we also have a team of social workers and financial counsellors to support you.
We prioritise support for people who are experiencing family violence and face other barriers to justice. This may include:
- having no or low income or access to money
- having limited access to other legal support
- not having secure housing
- being Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
- not speaking English or having English as a second language
- being on a temporary visa or not having a visa
- living with disability
- caring for children with disability
Where we cannot help, we will always try to find another service who might be able to help.
If you are in an unsafe situation, call 000
If you are unsafe, you should prioritise your safety before seeking legal help.
Once you are safe, you can continue to make an enquiry.
Our lawyers, social workers and financial counsellors work with you to make sure that you have what you need to make decisions for yourself and your children, gain independence and financial stability. Below are the areas we can help with:
Family violence and separation
We can make sure:
- family violence intervention orders protect you and your children from family violence
- police understand the family violence you have experienced
- arrangements for the care of your children are safe and practical
- property is fairly divided if your relationship ends (we are unable to help if your property settlement includes a business)
- you understand legal processes involved with separating from or divorcing a partner and what the likely outcomes will be
Child protection and care
We can help when Victoria’s Child Protection Service is involved with your family.
We can make sure:
- you understand the process and your rights
- Child Protection understand the family violence you have experienced
- arrangements for the care of your children are safe and practical
We aim to keep children connected to their families or kin where possible.
Migration law
We can support you if you do not have a visa or are on a temporary visa and are experiencing family violence.
We know that being on a temporary visa or not having a visa while escaping family and domestic violence is very challenging.
We can make sure:
- you understand your rights and options to stay or leave Australia
- your visa status in Australia is fairly determined
- you get access to the information and support you need when you leave your relationship with other legal issues and practical needs that are needed
Assistance and compensation for victims of crime
If you have suffered injury or loss because of a crime then we can assist you to get financial and other assistance.
We can make sure:
- you know your rights and the process of getting victims of crime assistance
- you can access financial assistance or compensation through the Victims of Crime Assistance Tribunal
Support after a bushfire or flood
If you’ve been affected by a natural disaster, like a bushfire or flood, and are escaping family violence, free legal assistance is available.
We can make sure:
- family violence intervention orders protect you and your children from family violence
- police understand the family violence you have experienced
- arrangements for the care of your children are safe and practical
- property is fairly divided if your relationship ends
- you understand legal processes involved with separating from or divorcing a partner and what the likely outcomes will be
Support in court
We have lawyers on “duty” at some courts to help you if you do not have a lawyer before you come to court.
Women’s Legal duty lawyers currently work at the following courts:
If you are at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court for a Family Violence Intervention Order (FVIO) hearing, our lawyer can give you free legal advice and represent you in court.
You can call the court before your appearance: 03 9087 6111
On the day go to Level 6 and ask to see the Women’s Legal lawyer.
A social support worker is also at court who can give you non-legal support.
If you are at the Children’s Court at Moorabbin Justice Centre for a Child Protection hearing, our lawyer can give you free legal advice and represent you in court.
You can call the court before your appearance on 03 9063 0113.
On the day go to the Victoria Legal Aid counter and ask to see the Women’s Legal lawyer.
Download a flyer about our services here.
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