Justice Project: Pro Bono Tool
People who experience Family Violence
More information about this project can be found here. 
This project has been endorsed by the Law Council of Australia.
Priorities identified in the Justice Project Final Report
Priorities Identified in the Justice Project Final Report[i]:
- More government funding to family courts and State and Territory courts to meet increasing demand.
- More funding for legal and culturally competent specialist services for victims and perpetrators.
- Prioritise homelessness prevention by investing in crisis accommodation and safe and appropriate housing and engaging in law reform.
- Provide mandatory family violence education to all legal practitioners on a regular basis.
- Provide and invest in ongoing family violence education to legal practitioners, judicial officers and other professionals that interact with people who experience family violence.
- Invest in rehabilitative programs for perpetrators to break the cycle of violence and expand access to culturally competent programs, including LGBTI+ relationships.
- Address the specific needs of children in family violence responses.
- Provide and invest in evidence-based prevention and early prevention initiatives that are regularly evaluated to ensure effectiveness, prioritising education for children and young people.
- Implement ongoing education and training for police regarding appropriate practices in the context of family violence investigations and prosecutions and review police protocols to better support victims of family violence, particularly Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women.
- Address problems associated with the nexus between the child protection system and the family violence system.
- Consult with diverse groups of women and LGBTI+ people when developing family violence policy and implementing family violence responses.
- Address fragmentation of the system by increasing links between courts, creating single gateways for services and referrals and facilitating information shares, alongside comprehensive privacy frameworks.
Justice Project: Pro Bono Tool Summaries
Directory of Organisations
Quick links to organisations by location
Quick links to tables by location:
National
Organisations for people who experience family violence
| Organisations | Information for Pro Bono Providers | Justice Project Priorities | Direct Legal Services | Law Reform |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australia’s National Research Organisation for Women’s Safety Limited (ANROWS) – Established under the Australia’s National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children 2010-2022 (the National Plan) to provide research and evidence to shape policy. | See here. | 2, 6, 11 | ✔ | |
| Australian Women Against Violence Alliance (AWAVA) – Funded by the Australian Government to bring together women’s organisations and individuals across Australia to share information, identify issues and their solutions, to respond to and prevent violence against women and their children. AWAVA’s role is to ensure that women’s voices and particularly marginalised women’s voices are heard by the Government, amplifying the work of its member organisations and Friends & Supporters. | See here. | 1, 2, 8 | ✔ | |
| National Family Violence Prevention Legal Services – Works to improve justice outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander victims/survivors of family violence and sexual assault. | See here. | 1, 2, 7, 10 | ✔ | |
| Rape and Domestic Violence Services Australia – Engages in advocacy work to ensure that their clients’ experiences of sexual, family and domestic violence inform the development of law and policy. Rape and Domestic Violence Services Australia also engages in a wide range of law reform activities including writing submissions to inquiries, sitting on stakeholder advisory groups, and advocating for their clients’ interests to government. | See here to become a member. | 1, 2, 5, 6, 12 | ✔ | |
| White Ribbon Australia – A not-for-profit organisation that upholds a primary prevention approach, through their programs targeted to raising awareness in violence among men. White Ribbon also conducts learning initiatives in schools that promote respectful relationships. | See here. | 2, 4, 7, 8 | ✔ |
Organisations with initiatives addressing family violence
| Organisations | Information for Pro Bono Providers | Justice Project Priorities | Direct Legal Services | Law Reform |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australian Human Rights Commission Australia – Conducts various projects on sexual harassment and gender-based violence, including family violence. | See here. | 4, 5, 6, 7, 11 | ✔ | |
| Relationships Australia – Offers counselling and support for victims of family violence, and rehabilitative programs for people who have used violence or anger in their interpersonal relationships and want to find new ways of relating that do not involve harming others. Relationships Australia also develop submission papers to government and other organisations, relevant to relationships, families and social issues. | 2, 6 | ✔ |
Campaigns
| Organisations | Information for Pro Bono Providers | Justice Project Priorities | Direct Legal Services | Law Reform |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Change the Record – Campaign to close the gap in rates of imprisonment by 2040 and cut the disproportionate rates of violence with priority strategy for women and children. | See here. | 2, 6, 7 | ✔ | |
| Family Matters – National campaign for the rights of Indigenous children in out-of-home care and child removal issues. | See here. | 10 | ✔ | |
| One in Three – Campaign aims to raise public awareness of the existence and needs of male victims of family violence and abuse. One in Three provide support resources for male victims on their website, give regular conference presentations and provide personal research assistance to secondary and tertiary students. | See here. | 2, 8, 11 | ✔ | |
| Our Watch – Focuses on primary prevention through community education and campaigns about respectful relationships. Our Watch is a not-for-profit organisation formed under the National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children 2010-2022. | See here. | 8 | ✔ |
Australian Capital Territory (ACT)
Organisations for people who experience family violence
| Organisations | Information for Pro Bono Providers | Justice Project Priorities | Direct Legal Services | Law Reform |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Domestic Violence Crisis Service – Offer the Court Advocacy Program which provides advice and assistance with the Family Violence Order applications, monitoring of process, and advocacy in court. | See here | 12 | ✔ | |
| Domestic Violence Prevention Council – The Council is the peak body offering advice to the Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence on issues relating to family violence. The Council aims to encourage and facilitate systematic early intervention strategies aimed at the prevention of domestic violence, and facilitate a coordinated government, community, and criminal justice response to domestic violence. | 1, 5, 6, 8 | ✔ |
Organisations with initiatives addressing family violence
| Organisations | Information for Pro Bono Providers | Justice Project Priorities | Direct Legal Services | Law Reform |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Women’s Legal Centre ACT – Provides legal advice and representation to women on family law, employment law and discrimination matters. The Women’s Legal Centre also have a referral service, run community legal education sessions, and conduct research, law reform and lobbying. | See here to get involved and here to find out more about pro bono partnerships. | 2, 4, 5, 12 | ✔ | ✔ |
New South Wales (NSW)
Pro bono providers are encouraged to contact the Pro Bono Referral Schemes and Organisations to source pro bono matters. In New South Wales, please contact Justice Connect.
Organisations for people who experience family violence
| Organisations | Information for Pro Bono Providers | Justice Project Priorities | Direct Legal Services | Law Reform |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Binaal Billa Family Violence Prevention Legal Service – Provides legal assistance, advice, advocacy and client support to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander victims of Family Violence and / or sexual assault, child protection and broader family law. | See here. | 2, 8 | ✔ | |
| Domestic Violence NSW (DVNSW) – The peak body for specialist domestic and family violence services in NSW. DVNSW provides a representative and advocacy function for specialist services and the women, families and communities they support. DVNSW also aims to eliminate domestic and family violence through leadership in policy, advocacy, partnerships and the promotion of best practice. | See here. | 2, 3, 7, 8, 10 | ✔ | |
| Legal Aid NSW Domestic Violence Unit – The specialist domestic and family violence service at Legal Aid NSW. The Legal Aid NSW Domestic Violence Unit provides legal advice, court and casework assistance (including ADVOs and care and protection matters) and community legal education for community groups and other professionals. | 2, 4, 5, 7, 10, 12 | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Many Rivers Family Violence Prevention Legal Service – Provides legal services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and children who have been victims of family violence or sexual assault as well as non-Aboriginal women with Aboriginal children and Aboriginal men who have been victims of violence. | See here. | 2, 6, 8 | ✔ | |
| No to Violence – The peak body for organisations and individuals who work with men to end family violence. No to Violence aims to respond effectively to men who use violent and abusive behaviour toward family members to enhance safety for their partners and children. | See here. | 1, 6, 12 | ✔ | |
| The Family Co. – An organisation dedicated to providing services in the Sutherland Shire and St George areas to those who have been impacted by disadvantage, violence and trauma. They provide a court advocacy service and offers programs such as family support and domestic violence support. The Family Co. also offer a range of domestic violence support programs including the Domestic Violence Toolbox Talks (DVTT) program, a primary prevention and early intervention program which aims to both inspire men to be positive role models and to also encourage men to safely speak up when they see or suspect violence to prevent and actively address this significant social issue. | See here to find out more about partnering with The Family Co. and here for information about volunteering. | 2, 6, 8 | ✔ | |
| Warra Warra Legal Service – Warra Warra Legal Service is an Aboriginal Family Violence Prevention Unit. Warra Warra Legal Service provides a free legal service that offers legal advice, representation and assistance to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander survivors of family violence in the Far West of New South Wales. | 4, 5, 7, 10, 12 | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Wirringa Baiya Aboriginal Women’s Legal Centre – Offers free legal advice alongside court support and cultural awareness training for providers who interact with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. In addition, Wirringa Baiya provide ongoing community legal education in relation to topics such as domestic violence and sexual assault. | See here. | 2, 5, 7 | ✔ | ✔ |
| Women’s Safety NSW – NSW peak body funded by the NSW Government through Legal Aid NSW. Women’s Safety NSW advocates for systematic reform in relation to domestic and family violence as a representative body for women’s specialist domestic and family violence services. | See here. | 2, 5, 11 | ✔ |
Organisations with initiatives addressing family violence
| Organisations | Information for Pro Bono Providers | Justice Project Priorities | Direct Legal Services | Law Reform |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aboriginal Legal Service NSW/ACT (ALS) – Carries out legal work in criminal law, children’s care and protection law and family law. The ALS assists Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men, women and children through representation in court, advice and information, and referral to further support services. | See here. | 1, 7, 10 | ✔ | ✔ |
| ACON – Community organisation focused on helping LGBTIQ people with a range of issues including domestic violence. ACON also run a website called ‘Say it Out Loud’, which encourages people from LGBTIQ communities to talk about both healthy and abusive relationships. ACON also works on policy reform and conducts LGBTI health related research. | See here. | 6, 11 | ✔ | |
| Central Coast Community Legal Centre (CCLC) – Provides legal advice in family violence and AVOs, community legal education and others. | See here. | 5 | ✔ | |
| Community Legal Centres NSW – Peak body for CLCs in NSW. Community Legal Centres NSW make regular submissions to key inquiries and law reform processes in NSW and Australia and supports various campaigns covering a broad range of social issues, including responses to sexual, domestic and family violence. | 2, 4, 5, 12 | ✔ | ||
| Inner City Legal Services Centre (ICLC) – Provides legal services to gay, lesbian and transgender clients from anywhere in NSW and provides advice and referral services to people who live in the inner city and some Northern Sydney suburbs. The ICLC provides legal advice to people who are gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender of inter-sex and are experiencing or escaping an abusive relationship. The ICLC also provides a Sex Worker legal service. | The Centre promotes a partnership approach to service delivery. We have active partnerships with private solicitors and barristers. See here. | 5, 11, 12 | ✔ | ✔ |
| Interrelate – Not-for-profit organisation that provides programs designed to endorse respectful behaviour towards women for men and students in schools. | See here. | 2, 6, 8 | ✔ | |
| Women’s Legal Service NSW – Provides a voice for women in NSW, and promotes access to justice, particularly for women who are disadvantaged by their social and economic circumstances. Women’s Legal Service NSW fosters legal and social change to redress the inequalities that women experience through legal advice and casework, community legal education and law and policy reform. | See here. | 2, 4, 5, 12 | ✔ | ✔ |
RRR CLCs
| Organisations | Information for Pro Bono Providers | Justice Project Priorities | Direct Legal Services | Law Reform |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Far West Community Legal Centre – Provides legal assistance on a range of matters including family law and domestic violence for people in the Far West region. The Far West Community Legal Centre also run a community outreach service and provide community legal education. | See here. | 2, 5 | ✔ | |
| Hunter Community Legal Centre – Provides free legal advice, assistance and representation for many disadvantaged members of the Hunter and Newcastle region. Hunter CLC also provides community legal education, clinical legal education and undertakes law reform. | 2, 5 | ✔ | ||
| Illawarra Legal Centre – Engages in policy work as well as providing legal assistance and advocacy. | See here. | 5, 7 | ✔ | ✔ |
| Northern Rivers Community Legal Centre – Provides Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with tenancy, family and domestic violence services. Provides free legal services including giving information and advice as well as carrying out community education and development, advocacy and law reform. | See here. | 2, 3, 5 | ✔ | ✔ |
| Thiyama-li Family Violence Service NSW – Not-for-profit organisation that provides a quality Family Violence Prevention Legal Service that is responsive to the needs of their clients and community. | See here. | 2, 5, 10 | ✔ |
Referral organisations
| Organisations | Information for Pro Bono Providers | Justice Project Priorities | Direct Legal Services | Law Reform |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Justice Connect – Connects individuals and not-for-profit organisations with pro bono providers. Also works to change unfair laws through advocacy and national campaigns. Also operates in VIC. | See here. | 5 | ✔ | |
| LawAccess NSW – Coordinates the giving of pro bono legal assistance to not-for-profits and individuals, including those experiencing domestic or family violence. | 5, 6 | ✔ |
Campaigns
| Organisations | Information for Pro Bono Providers | Justice Project Priorities | Direct Legal Services | Law Reform |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Safe State – Jointly developed by the NSW Women’s Alliance of peak organisations and state-wide service providers responding to and working to prevent sexual, domestic and family violence. Safe State have made a number recommendations for law and policy change to prevent and end sexual, domestic and family violence. | See here. | 2, 3, 12 | ✔ |
Northern Territory (NT)
Organisations for people who experience family violence
| Organisations | Information for Pro Bono Providers | Justice Project Priorities | Direct Legal Services | Law Reform |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Central Australian Aboriginal Family Legal Unit (CAAFLU) – Provides culturally appropriate legal advice and support services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, who have experienced, or are experiencing family violence or sexual assault. CAAFLU also contributes to relevant policy and law reform initiatives on both a state and federal level and provides community legal education. | 2, 6, 8 | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Central Australian Women’s Legal Service – Delivers a holistic, culturally safe, trauma informed legal service for women, particularly for those affected by domestic violence. The Central Australian Women’s Legal Service can also help with information about legal issues, legal advice and representation, referral to support services, community legal education and law reform advocacy. | 2, 4, 5, 12 | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Ngaanyatjarra Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Women’s Council Domestic and Family Violence Service – A domestic and family violence service which accept referrals from women living on the NPY Lands (cross borders region of SA, NT, WA) who have experienced the impacts of an intimate partner, family or other forms of lateral violence. The team includes caseworkers and community workers who possess expertise in law, adult education, community development and narrative therapy. | 2, 11 | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Northern Australian Aboriginal Family Legal Service (NAAFLS) – An independent Family Violence Prevention Legal Service that provides legal advice and assistance in areas of family violence, care and protection of children, victims of crime compensation, family law, wills and housing. | See here. | 2, 3, 4, 10 | ✔ | ✔ |
Organisations with initiatives addressing family violence
| Organisations | Information for Pro Bono Providers | Justice Project Priorities | Direct Legal Services | Law Reform |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Katherine Women’s Legal Service – Not-for-profit Community Legal Centre based in Katherine that provides women with accesses to free legal services and community legal education. Katherine Women’s Legal Service also undertakes advocacy and law reform as well as providing outreach services to women in remote areas in the Katherine region. | 2, 8 | ✔ |
RRR CLCs
| Organisations | Information for Pro Bono Providers | Justice Project Priorities | Direct Legal Services | Law Reform |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Darwin Community Legal Service – Provides assistance regarding disability advocacy and legal assistance, seniors rights, tenancy and housing and a general legal service focusing on civil law with priority areas being social security, discrimination, guardianship, consumer law, credit and debt. The Darwin Community Legal Service also engage in law reform, advocacy and campaigning. | See here. | 2, 8 | ✔ | ✔ |
| Top End Women’s Legal Service (TEWLS) – Not-for-profit specialist women’s legal service whose purpose is to advocate and achieve justice for women, to promote women’s human rights, and to redress inequalities experienced by women. They specialise in a number of areas of law including family violence. | See here. | 2, 5 | ✔ | ✔ |
Referral organisations
| Organisations | Information for Pro Bono Providers | Justice Project Priorities | Direct Legal Services | Law Reform |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tangentyere Family Violence Prevention Program – Offers support, referrals, resources group and individual sessions for men, women and young people impacted by family violence as well as referrals for agencies. | 2, 5, 6, 12 | ✔ |
Campaigns
| Organisations | Information for Pro Bono Providers | Justice Project Priorities | Direct Legal Services | Law Reform |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No More – Aims to reduce the prevalence of family violence perpetrated by men. No More promotes respectful attitudes towards women and has direct links to the sporting community. | See here. | 2, 7, 8, 11 | ✔ |
Queensland (QLD)
Pro bono providers are encouraged to contact the Pro Bono Referral Schemes and Organisations to source pro bono matters. In Queensland, please contact LawRight.
Organisations for people who experience family violence
| Organisations | Information for Pro Bono Providers | Justice Project Priorities | Direct Legal Services | Law Reform |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aboriginal Family Legal Service Southern Queensland – Provides legal and other support services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander victims/survivors of sexual assault or family violence. | For pro bono opportunities in Queensland, please contact LawRight. | 2 | ✔ | |
| Queensland Indigenous Family Violence Legal Service – Not-for-profit legal service that provides free culturally appropriate support to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities experiencing the direct and indirect effects of family violence and sexual assault. The Queensland Indigenous Family Violence Legal Service also advocates for policy change through law reform submissions and speaking engagements. | For pro bono opportunities in Queensland, please contact LawRight. | 2, 4, 5, 12 | ✔ | ✔ |
| The Domestic Violence Resource Service (Mackay & Region) and the Mackay Women’s Sexual Assault Service – Provides counselling and support services for women in the Mackay district. The service also provides free counselling for children affect by domestic and family violence and offers court support by assisting women applying for Domestic Violence Protection Orders and/or appropriate referrals so they are able to take action. | For pro bono opportunities in Queensland, please contact LawRight. | 1, 2, 6, 7 | ✔ |
Organisations with initiatives addressing family violence
| Organisations | Information for Pro Bono Providers | Justice Project Priorities | Direct Legal Services | Law Reform |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Women’s Legal Service QLD – A specialist community legal centre providing free legal and social work help to people who live and identify as women in Queensland. The Women’s Legal Service assist women in the areas of family law, child support, child protection, domestic violence and some areas of sexual assault as well as providing community legal education and participating in law reform. | For pro bono opportunities in Queensland, please contact LawRight. | 2, 4, 5, 12 | ✔ | ✔ |
RRR CLCs
| Organisations | Information for Pro Bono Providers | Justice Project Priorities | Direct Legal Services | Law Reform |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cairns Community Legal Centre – Provides accessible legal services for people in the community experiencing disadvantage. The Centre provides information and referrals, legal advice and in some circumstances, ongoing casework assistance. Their legal services include General Legal Service, Discrimination & Human Rights Legal Service, Cairns Mental Health Legal Service, Consumer Law Service, Family Law Service and Seniors Legal and Support Service. | For pro bono opportunities in Queensland, please contact LawRight. | 1, 2, 10 | ✔ |
Referral organisations
| Organisations | Information for Pro Bono Providers | Justice Project Priorities | Direct Legal Services | Law Reform |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LawRight – Operates a civil law referral service and provides legal advice for disadvantaged client groups. LawRight also operates a Community and Health Justice Partnership, provides representation and runs Pro Bono Connect, working with clients experiencing complex, intersecting issues, including domestic violence. | See here for information on how to become a member. See here for students who want to volunteer, either individually or through university organised volunteer programs and internships at student clinics. See here for In-House and Government legal units who want to participate in pro bono work. See here for retired and career break practitioners who wish to volunteer. | 2, 4, 5, 12 | ✔ | ✔ |
South Australia (SA)
Pro bono providers are encouraged to contact the Pro Bono Referral Schemes and Organisations to source pro bono matters. In South Australia, please contact JusticeNet SA.
Organisations with initiatives addressing family violence
| Organisations | Information for Pro Bono Providers | Justice Project Priorities | Direct Legal Services | Law Reform |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aboriginal Legal Rights Movement (ALRM) – Provides legal support to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in areas of civil and criminal law and is also involved in community legal education and advocacy work. ALRM provides support in care and protection matters for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in instances of removal of children from their families. ALRM also lobbies for and implements support programs that assist in addressing some of the issues known to contribute to Aboriginal people coming into contact with the criminal justice system. | For pro bono opportunities in South Australia, please contact JusticeNet SA. | 5, 6, 9, 10 | ✔ | ✔ |
| InDIGO Domestic Violence Program – Collaboration between Community Justice Centres SA and Women’s Legal Service SA to provide free legal advice and services to women who are experiencing or at risk of experiencing domestic violence. | For pro bono opportunities in South Australia, please contact JusticeNet SA. | 2 | ✔ | |
| Uniting Communities Law Centre – Provides legal advice and mediation support on family law matters, including domestic violence issues, alongside counselling support. The Uniting Communities Law Centre also provides counselling for men who want to change violent behaviours and drug and alcohol support services. | For pro bono opportunities in South Australia, please contact JusticeNet SA. | 2, 6 | ✔ |
RRR CLCs
| Organisations | Information for Pro Bono Providers | Justice Project Priorities | Direct Legal Services | Law Reform |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Community Justice Services SA – Operates from Southern Community Justice Centre, Limestone Coast Community Justice Centre and Riverland Community Justice Centre. Provides legal advice and court representation in family law, civil law and criminal law. In particular, the Centre advises on children’s issues, separation, family property settlement and domestic violence matters. Community Justice Services also undertakes community legal education, law reform and other community engagement activities. | For pro bono opportunities in South Australia, please contact JusticeNet SA. | 1, 5 | ✔ | ✔ |
| Family Violence Legal Service Aboriginal Corporation – Provides legal advice and representation in the areas of family violence (intervention orders), child protection, family law and victims of crime. The Family Violence Legal Service Aboriginal Corporation also delivers education programs to primary school students, high school student as well as women and men within their communities as well as being involved in Advocacy Campaigns as well as policy issues when approached by other organisations. They are an Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation. | For pro bono opportunities in South Australia, please contact JusticeNet SA. | 2, 7, 8 | ✔ | ✔ |
| Northern Community Legal Service – Provides free legal aid service for people living in Adelaide’s northern suburbs and the mid north. The Northern CLC also provides community legal education on domestic violence. | For pro bono opportunities in South Australia, please contact JusticeNet SA. | 5 | ✔ | |
| WestSide Lawyers – Provides legal assistance to people in Adelaide’s western suburbs and the lower Flinders Ranges in South Australia. WestSide Lawyers frequently advise on domestic violence issues, family law children’s matters and family law property matters. | For pro bono opportunities in South Australia, please contact JusticeNet SA. | 2, 5 | ✔ |
Referral Organisations
| Organisations | Information for Pro Bono Providers | Justice Project Priorities | Direct Legal Services | Law Reform |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JusticeNet SA – A legal service that that aims to provide a ‘safety net’ for individuals who cannot afford a lawyer or get the help they need from elsewhere. It runs Homeless Legal, a free outreach legal service for people experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness. | See here | 12 | ✔ |
Tasmania (TAS)
Organisations for people who experience family violence
| Organisations | Information for Pro Bono Providers | Justice Project Priorities | Direct Legal Services | Law Reform |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engender Equality – State-wide not-for-profit organisation that supports people affected by family and domestic violence in Tasmania. Engender Equality provides counselling, education and training and phone services to the community. In addition, Engender Equality advocates for change who address the improvements needed in the service and legal systems. | 2, 5 | ✔ |
Organisations with initiatives addressing family violence
| Organisations | Information for Pro Bono Providers | Justice Project Priorities | Direct Legal Services | Law Reform |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tasmanian Aboriginal Legal Service (TALS) – Provides free legal assistance, advice, referrals and case work assistance for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across Tasmania. TALS is actively involved in community education, research and advocacy around law reform and policy development. | See here. | 2, 5 | ✔ | ✔ |
| Women’s Legal Service Tasmania – Provides advice and referrals on legal matters including family law and family violence. The Women’s Legal Service offers community legal education and strives to make the legal system more accessible and responsive to the issues affecting women through law reform. Burnie office is a specialist family violence unit that provides legal information, advice and support to clients experiencing, or who have experienced, family violence. | See here. | 2, 4, 5, 12 | ✔ | ✔ |
RRR CLCs
| Organisations | Information for Pro Bono Providers | Justice Project Priorities | Direct Legal Services | Law Reform |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart Community Legal Service – Provides legal information, advice, representation and referral to the public. Hobart CLC also offers support for family law matters and managing child support through the Child Support Scheme. | See here. | 5 | ✔ |
Victoria (VIC)
Pro bono providers are encouraged to contact the Pro Bono Referral Schemes and Organisations to source pro bono matters. In Victoria, please contact Justice Connect.
Organisations for people who experience family violence
| Organisations | Information for Pro Bono Providers | Justice Project Priorities | Direct Legal Services | Law Reform |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Djirra – Provides practical support to all Aboriginal women and particularly to Aboriginal people who are currently experiencing family violence or have in the past. The work Djirra does is predominantly designed by and for Aboriginal women. Djirra also engages in policy and advocacy work that aims to improve Aboriginal women’s access to justice, safety and equality. Djirra runs highly successful campaigns, maintaining a regular presence in decision making forums and committees, and contributing expertise to important government initiatives and inquiries such as the Royal Commission into Family Violence in Victoria. | See here. | 2, 8 | ✔ | ✔ |
| Domestic Violence Crisis Service – offer the Court Advocacy Program which provides advice and assistance with the FVO application process and advocacy in court. | See here . | 1, 12 | ✔ | |
| Domestic Violence Victoria – Independent, non-government organisation and the peak body for specialist family violence services. Domestic Violence Victoria supports campaigns to reduce homelessness and conducts projects focused on early intervention to prevent family violence. | See here. | 2, 5, 8 | ✔ | |
| Elizabeth Morgan House – Peak body in Victoria for Aboriginal women and family violence, advising Peak Aboriginal Organisations, Government & NGO sectors on issues affecting Aboriginal women and families. | See here. | 2, 3, 5, 10, 11 | ✔ | |
| InTouch – Provides outreach in courts, legal services, undertakes prevention work with migrant and refugee communities and engages in policy, advocacy and research. InTouch has a particular focus on the needs of refugee and migrant women who have or are experiencing family violence. | See here. | 5, 8, 11 | ✔ | ✔ |
| Safe Steps – Provide telephone counselling, referral, information and support. Safe Steps assists women experiencing family violence in finding alternative interment accommodation until refuge vacancies become available. In addition, Safe Steps participates in advocacy and campaigning for law reform. Their research has included focus on women and children without permanent residency experiencing family violence. | See here. | 2, 3 | ✔ | ✔ |
Organisations with initiatives addressing family violence
| Organisations | Information for Pro Bono Providers | Justice Project Priorities | Direct Legal Services | Law Reform |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fitzroy Legal Service – Provides legal assistance in relation to family violence, via outreach to a number of locations within the City of Yarra. The Fitzroy Legal Advice service in family law also includes an LGBTIQ clinic. In addition, the Fitzroy Legal Service conducts community legal education and makes policy reform submissions. | See here. | 3, 5, 11 | ✔ | ✔ |
| LGBTIQ Legal – Assists with particular legal issues relating to LGBTIQ communities including family violence, discrimination and criminal law. | See here. | 6, 11 | ✔ | ✔ |
| Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency – Child and family welfare organisation that offers family support services to women and children. The Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency’s Family Violence Program provides case work, counselling, flexible support packages and a Child Focused Family Violence Service. VACCA’s work in social policy, advocacy and research supports our overall pursuit of self-determination, and protecting and promoting the rights of the child. | See here. | 2, 6, 7, 8, 10 | ✔ | |
| Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service (VALS) – Addresses over-representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the criminal justice system. VAL engages in direct client services, community education, research and advocacy around law reform and policy development. | 2, 8 | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Women’s Legal Service Victoria – Provide advice and representation on family violence, intervention orders and child protection matters. The Women’s Legal Services run legal training for legal practitioners. In addition, the Women’s Legal Services engages in policy and law reform work by challenging laws that unfairly impact on women experiencing violence, informing policy initiatives that promote the rights of women and creating greater awareness of the barriers to access to justice for family violence survivors in the legal and family violence systems. | 2, 4, 5, 12 | ✔ | ✔ |
RRR CLCs
| Organisations | Information for Pro Bono Providers | Justice Project Priorities | Direct Legal Services | Law Reform |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Murray Mallee Community Legal Service – Provides legal advice and runs the Intervention Order Support Service where a lawyer is available at the Mildura Magistrates Court every Monday to give support, assistance and representation for those experiencing family violence. | See here. | 2 | ✔ |
Referral Organisations
| Organisations | Information for Pro Bono Providers | Justice Project Priorities | Direct Legal Services | Law Reform |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Justice Connect – Connects individuals and not-for-profit organisations (including Indigenous people and organisations who work with this population and who need legal assistance) with pro bono providers. Also works to change unfair laws through advocacy and national campaigns. | See here for law firms wanting to become a member. See here for individuals who want to volunteer. | 12 | ✔ | ✔ |
Western Australia (WA)
Pro bono providers are encouraged to contact the Pro Bono Referral Schemes and Organisations to source pro bono matters. In Western Australia, please contact Law Access.
Organisations for people who experience family violence
| Organisations | Information for Pro Bono Providers | Justice Project Priorities | Direct Legal Services | Law Reform |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aboriginal Family Law Service Western Australia – Work with communities/victims/survivors of family and domestic violence to implement strategies for personal and community safety through a cultural approach. The Aboriginal Family Law Service offers legal services, community education, early intervention and prevention programs. | For pro bono opportunities in Western Australia, please contact Law Access. | 6, 8, 10 | ✔ | |
| Marnin Family Support & Legal Unit (MFSLU) – Supports women and their families by encouraging safety and well-being and fostering leadership and financial independence. MFSLU provide activities, mentoring, support, access to culturally sensitive & respectful services, & advocacy. The Unit delivers culturally appropriate legal representation and non-legal holistic support services primarily in the area of safety, wellbeing and strengthening family capacity. The MFSLU works with women and communities to find solutions to effectively address the impact & challenges experienced by women and children in relation to domestic and family violence. | For pro bono opportunities in Western Australia, please contact Law Access. | 2, 8 | ✔ |
Organisations with initiatives addressing family violence
| Organisations | Information for Pro Bono Providers | Justice Project Priorities | Direct Legal Services | Law Reform |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aboriginal Legal Service of Western Australia (ALSWA) – Provides legal advice and representation for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in WA in criminal, family, civil and human rights law with additional services in community legal education, advocacy and the protection and promotion of human rights. | For pro bono opportunities in Western Australia, please contact Law Access. | 2, 3, 7, 8 | ✔ | ✔ |
| Women’s Legal Service WA – Community legal centre that provides free legal advice, casework and referrals particularly to disadvantaged women. The Women’s Legal Service also provide law reform, advocacy, community legal education and professional development training. | For pro bono opportunities in Western Australia, please contact Law Access. | 2, 4, 5, 12 | ✔ | ✔ |
RRR CLCs
| Organisations | Information for Pro Bono Providers | Justice Project Priorities | Direct Legal Services | Law Reform |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southern Aboriginal Corporation Family Violence Prevention Legal Service – Provides assistance to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults and children who are victims of family violence and/or sexual assault. The Southern Aboriginal Corporation Family Violence Prevention Legal Service’s mission is to provide effective representation and resource delivery for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on issues of health, housing, recreation, employment, education and training whilst promoting Noongar social and cultural values in the Great Southern and South-West regions of Western Australia. | For pro bono opportunities in Western Australia, please contact Law Access. | 2 | ✔ |
Referral organisations
| Organisations | Information for Pro Bono Providers | Justice Project Priorities | Direct Legal Services | Law Reform |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Law Access – Coordinates the giving of pro bono legal assistance by the Western Australian legal profession to not-for-profits and individuals. | See here – Opportunities are available to lawyers who register on the Law Access lawyer database. The database will send you information about your areas of interest. Law Access also welcomes secondees from private firms who second lawyers on a part-time basis to assist Law Access with triage and assessment of applications. | 12 | ✔ |
[i] The Justice Project Final Report published by the Law Council of Australia (Aug 2018) can be found here.
Please note the Centre undertook the research to identify which priorities have been mapped to individual organisations. Not all organisations have confirmed yet whether the identified priorities are accurately mapped.