Footscray Community Legal Centre

Family violence

This office provides assistance for people who are in family violence situations or who have escaped family violence.

We can assist with applications for Intervention Orders through the Magistrates Court and with Victims of Crime applications for counselling,and special financial assistance for people who are victims of crime. We also have many contacts with other service agencies to whom we can refer you for specialist help and assistance.

Family violence is a significant issue in many family law cases.

Discussions are currently occurring with regard to the introduction of a “Domestic Violence Court” which may change Intervention Order policy and procedure significantly. Until then we maintain that the current Court system in which an applicant often attends Court without any idea as to whether the defendant is going to show up or what they are going to do, is unacceptable. It makes obtaining a Legal Aid grant for the day very difficult, adds enormously to the stress of the applicant and may result in the applicant being unrepresented and opposed to a defendant with legal representation.

We are concerned that a number of private Family Lawyers are advising their clients to seek intervention orders but are not providing representation or adequately advising as to what may unfold if the defendant attends to contest the hearing with legal representation.

We are concerned that many Defendants do not get the opportunity to get legal advice or qualify for Legal Aid.

Intervention Order Support Service at Sunshine Court

The Centre is one of 4 Community Legal Centres that provides a legal advisor at the Sunshine Court on a Wednesday morning to provide legal assistance to Applicants seeking intervention orders.A trained family violence worker also attends to support family violence victims. More information about the service can be obtained by contacting our office on 9689 8444.