Women's legal centre (ACT)

The Sexual Violence Legal Service provides independent advice and representation for women, trans people and non-binary people who have been subjected to sexual violence. This service is delivered in partnership with Victim Support ACT.

The Sexual Violence Legal Service provides legal assistance to support women’s engagement with police and the prosecution, as well as legal assistance at trial and post sentencing. This includes information and advice about the criminal justice process, prior to making a decision to report to police. The service can also provide advice and assistance in obtaining a Family Violence Order or Personal Protection Order.

The Women’s Legal Centre can provide coordinated legal assistance around related legal matters including separation and divorce; care and protection; discrimination and employment issues; and migration.

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

What assistance can we provide?

If you have been subjected to sexual violence, we can provide information and legal advice about:

• Reporting to police
• Explaining stages of the criminal process
• Giving evidence in sexual offence proceedings
• Entitlements and protections as a witness in sexual offence proceedings
• Providing a Victim Impact Statement
• Family Violence orders and/or Personal Protection Orders, where the basis of the order is sexual violence you have been subjected to

The Centre can also provide information and legal advice about:

•  the Victims of Crime Financial Assistance Scheme,
•  sexual harassment or sexual violence at work or 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 about:

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