
Innovative partnership helping Canberra women get legal and crisis support for family violence
The Women’s Legal Centre (WLC) and Domestic Violence Crisis Service (DVCS) today welcomed the Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence Yvette Berry to the DVCS office to showcase the work of a partnership providing integrated domestic violence crisis and legal support to women across Canberra.
DVCS CEO Sue Webeck said “We’ve invited Minister Berry here today to show her the incredible work this partnership is doing for our community.”
“This partnership is nation leading. It’s an example of how the ACT, despite being a small jurisdiction, can lead the way in innovative, collaborative and trauma-informed responses to family violence. Our colleagues in other jurisdictions are looking to us as an example.”
In 2023, the partnership supported nearly 200 Canberrans experiencing family violence and family law related issues, many in complex situations where their safety, or that of their children, was at high risk. As part of the partnership, a family violence lawyer from WLC is physically located at DVCS for part off the week, providing immediate access to legal assistance for clients of the crisis intervention service.
WLC CEO Elena Rosenman said “The legal system is complex and hard to navigate. It can be especially overwhelming for people in a crisis situation or affected by trauma. The partnership helps women get the range of supports and advice they need from both our services quickly and seamlessly.”
The partnership is improving the way both services support victim-survivors. Women’s Legal Service have worked with DVCS staff to make sure they can spot a legal issue when supporting clients, and quickly refer for legal assistance. DVCS have worked with WLC staff to build their understanding of the complexities of family violence, safety and risk, so their advice is centred on women’s safety.
Recent DVCS client feedback showed what this means in practice “The best thing about DVCS is that a couple of the people who run their legal area really understand the court system. Every single time we spoke I learned something. It was fabulous.”
The partnership is funded through a National Partnership Agreement between the ACT and the Commonwealth Governments, but funding is only short-term.
Elena Rosenman said “Funding for this program runs out in three months. Losing the partnership means, hundreds of Canberra women who have experienced domestic and family violence won’t get the support they need and deserve. We really hope Minister Berry and the ACT Government ensure we can continue doing this vital work together.