Family Violence Advice
Wyndham Legal Service provides assistance in Family Violence matters.
There is a Duty Lawyer service at the Werribee Magistrates’ Court on Thursday mornings for applicants in family violence intervention order matters. The Family Violence Support Program clients are often referred to and supported by a support worker.
The program also includes legal education and information on family violence matters to local schools. The focus is on promoting healthy relationships with in our community.
This program is funded through the State Government.
Please contact the service on 9741 0198 or drop in for free legal advice and support if you have experienced family violence and wish to know more about intervention orders.
History of the Family Violence Program at Wyndham.
Since 2001 Wyndham Legal Service Inc has provided a Family Violence Program. In 2002 Wyndham Legal Service Inc undertook research into family violence in Wyndham, which later became a report titled ‘Are You Happy at Home? A report on Family Violence in Wyndham” by Dr Debbie Kirkwood and Adele McNicol. The objective of the research was to obtain information about the nature and extent of family violence in Wyndham. The results of the project identified that there was a real need for relevant social services to be located in the local community.
Funding has since been sourced from various organizations- including the Wyndham City Council so as to be able to provide a duty lawyer at the Werribee Magistrate's Court to provide legal advice and support for people who have experienced family violence and wish to apply for an intervention order. This lawyer provides advice to clients and where appropriate, clients are referred to private solicitors for legal representation and to other support services such as Women’s Health West.
In 2007 Wyndham Legal Service Inc was provided funding from the State Government through the Department of Justice and Victoria Legal Aid Community Legal Service Program. This funding has enabled our Service to provide an ongoing committment to people experiencing family violence who require assistance through the justice system.
Aims of the program:
l To prioritise the work of Wyndham Legal Service Inc. in the area of family violence
l To attempt to meet the needs of those identified in our report “Are You Happy at Home? A Report on Family Violence in Wyndham” who require specialist legal advice in family violence matters whilst meeting the needs of residents by promoting preventative strategies through Community Legal Education
l To contribute to law reform in the area of family violence
Key Program Components
l Duty Lawyer role at Werribee Magistrates’ Court for applicants in family violence intervention order matters (Thursday am)
l Attending relevant meetings / networking.
l Community Legal Education: prevention aimed at young people.
Please contact the service on 9741 0198 or drop in if you have experienced family violence and require further information.
