Aboriginal Family Legal Service WA

Aboriginal Family Legal Services (AFLS) is a not-for-profit Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation that provides free specialist legal assistance and non-legal support to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people experiencing, or at risk of, family violence and sexual assault.

We understand that issues of family and domestic violence are highly complex and, while early legal assistance is critical, we know that legal services alone cannot resolve all issues. We therefore provide a holistic service delivery model, which includes prevention and education initiatives, aimed at supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to live free from family and domestic violence and sexual assault.

Established in 2010, AFLS has been providing specialist services to Western Australian Aboriginal communities across seven regions. We operate under the Family Violence Prevention Legal Service (FVPLS) program funded by the National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA).

As an Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation, AFLS is built on the principles of responsiveness and flexibility to meet the needs of the communities we support.

Our Vision

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are safe and free of family and domestic violence and sexual assault and are empowered to self determine improved life outcomes.

Our Mission

To support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander survivors of family, domestic and sexual violence to access legal services and to promote safe families through community education, early intervention and advocacy to end the cycle of violence and improve life outcomes.

Corporate Governance

The Western Australian Family Violence Prevention Legal Services, trading as Aboriginal Family Legal Services (AFLS-WA), was incorporated in February 2010 under the Corporations (Aboriginal & Torres Strait islander) Act 2006 and is registered with the Office of the Registrar of Aboriginal Corporations ICN 7333.

The AFLS-WA is funded by the Prime Minister & Cabinet under the Indigenous Advancement Strategy as a Safety and Wellbeing Program.

We are a part of the 14 National Family Violence Prevention Legal Services, and the largest service in Australia with regional offices in Western Australia.

The organisation incorporates the regionalisation model, with offices in Broome, Carnarvon, Geraldton, Kalgoorlie, Kununurra, and Port Hedland. Each office employs a Regional Managing Solicitor, as well as appropriate legal and support staff. The six regional offices are supported by a corporate services office based in Perth that is responsible for overall coordination of the various operations and financial management of the Corporation as a whole.

The Corporation’s Rule Book establishes the definitions of and processes for membership, regional representation and governance. It is governed by an elected Board of at least five members and no more than ten. The day to day management of the organisation is delegated to the Chief Executive Officer. The Board is comprised of individuals with a range of skills, knowledge and experience. Thanks to these dedicated volunteers who have proved committed to guiding the strategic direction of AFLS. The Board ensures that AFLS is provided with every opportunity to reach its organisational goals. The Board meets at least four times each year.

From the CEO

I am a Mulgyin Jaru/Kitja and Gooniyandi woman born and raised in Broome, WA. I grew up with my mum and grandparents, who were my role models. My life is dedicated to the rights of Aboriginal people.

My formal qualifications include a Bachelor of Marketing and a Bachelor of Laws. I was admitted to the Supreme Court of WA as a barrister and solicitor in 2006. Since then my career has covered diverse areas of law, often advocating for systemic change to address Aboriginal disadvantage in the justice sector and broader society. I am an Executive Board member of the Community Legal Centres Association of WA and a Board member of the Women’s Council for Domestic and Family Violence.

Having served for a number of years as Principal Legal Officer of AFLS, I was very pleased to have been appointed as CEO. I am dedicated to building AFLS as the service of choice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander survivors of family, domestic and sexual violence. I am also very proud that the Ochre Ribbon, an awareness-raising campaign initiated by former CEO Mary Cowley, is growing in strength each year. You can read more about the campaign here.

Corina Martin

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