In 2011, WLSV undertook a comprehensive strategic review, informed, once again, by all of our major stakeholders. The review confirmed the importance of WLSV’s specialist focus, on issues arising from relationship breakdown and violence against women, whilst identifying a number of new or enhanced activities aimed at increasing the impact of the service.
Through its Link program, WLSV now partners with 18 agencies across the state to enable women who have experienced family violence to access legal advice via internet video conferencing. Link allows women to overcome geographic, cultural, economic and other barriers to accessing legal services, whilst ensuring private and safe connections with lawyers. It facilitates an inter-disciplinary approach between lawyers and social workers to address women’s legal and non-legal needs. Link is a cost effective and highly flexible way to provide outreach and respond to changing demographics and legal needs. For a list of our partner agencies and the geographic coverage of the service please contact us on [email protected].
In 2014, WLSV embarked on another innovative project, Stepping Stones, which supports women to recover financially from family violence and separation by:
- Helping women to resolve complex legal and financial problems through a unique collaborative practice model where a financial counsellor and lawyer work closely together
- Improving the response of institutions, utility companies and policy makers to women experiencing financial hardship. Our Stepping Stones Research Report will identify system wide problems, make recommendations and enable us to advocate for change.