Two women stand talking seriously outside the Women's Legal Centre
Service Updates

Update on the sexual assault legal service

The Centre is currently in the process of finalising funding arrangements for the new sexual assault legal service to be delivered in partnership with Victim Support ACT.

We expect the service (Sexual Assault Legal Service or SALS)  to be fully operational early in 2024. When the service commences, we will be able to provide legal assistance to support women’s engagement with police and the prosecution as well as legal assistance at trial and post sentencing.

The service will be able to provide coordinated legal assistance around related legal matters including separation and divorce; care and protection; discrimination and employment issues; and migration.

The service will also provide integrated wrap-around support including financial assistance, counselling and connections with other specialist supports.

What assistance can we  provide now

While we are setting up the new service, we can provide information and legal advice about:

  •  the Victims of Crime Financial Assistance Scheme
  •  sexual harassment or sexual violence at work or in other areas of public life like accommodation, education or the provision of services
  •  separation and relationship breakdown where you have experienced sexual violence in the relationship.

We can also provide general legal advice to victims of any kinds of assault (including sexual assault) including in relation to:

  • bail processes
  • providing a statement to police
  • giving evidence including under subpoena
  • explaining the stages of the criminal process
  • providing a victim impact statement.