We can’t see COVID-19 but it effects everybody.
We are still providing legal services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander survivors of domestic, family and sexual violence in regional Western Australia amid the COVID-19 pandemic. But our procedures have changed to keep everyone healthy and safe.
From Monday 18 May our Doors will be open for face to face appointments.
Services
We provide legal and support services for all Aboriginal people who have experienced family violence or sexual assault.
Family Law
We can assist people with their family law matters when there are children involved. We represent clients in the Family Court WA, and help clients work out parenting agreements. We focus on what is best for the children.
Child Protection
We assist people dealing with the Department of Child Protection and Family Support in childcare and protection matters. We can help you to talk to the Department about children remaining safely in your care.
Criminal Injury Compensation
Eligibility advice for criminal injuries compensation, including for injuries, medical expenses and lost income. We assist with applications, and helping to obtain documents such as medical reports.
Family Violence Restraining Orders
We help people who have been hurt by partners or family members. We can assist in applications for Family Violence Restraining Orders (FVROs) and will apply to the Court for an interim restraining order.
Non-Legal Support
We provide non-legal support and case management in the form of community education and engagement, crisis intervention and client referrals. We can advocate for clients, and help in safety planning for families.
Social Support
Our social workers provide culturally-safe and trauma-informed approaches. They help clients through the demands of their legal process, develop safety strategies, and build social and emotional wellbeing.
Membership
Stronger Together
We encourage all Aboriginal people concerned about Family Violence to join our organisation. Our members are drawn from the six regions in which we operate, and also include Perth. You need to be at least 18 years of age to become a member.
Campaign
Ochre Ribbon
Violence within Aboriginal communities against women, children and men has increased to alarming levels. The Ochre Ribbon Campaign highlights the need to stop this violence, and works to strengthen advances in prevention initiatives from other agencies and campaigns.
Supported by
AFLS Annual Report 2020-21
News11.05.22 – New AFLS Family Violence Restraining Order Animation
NewsMEDIA RELEASE 28.03.22
NewsMEDIA RELEASE 28.03.22
Southern Aboriginal Corporation and Aboriginal Family Legal Service successfully tender for Metropolitan Family Violence Prevention Legal Service
Southern Aboriginal Corporation is delighted to have partnered with Aboriginal Family Legal Service to successfully tender for the Metropolitan Family Violence Prevention Legal Service. The Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations will join together to bring Aboriginal controlled legal assistance and related non-legal support services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, children and men who are experiencing or recovering from family violence or sexual assault in the Perth Metropolitan Area.
Asha Bhat, CEO of Southern Aboriginal Corporation, said that with a combined 23 years’ experience providing Family Violence Prevention Legal Services in Western Australia, Southern Aboriginal Corporation and Aboriginal Family Legal Service were best placed to deliver a client centred, culturally secure and trauma informed service system for Aboriginal victims of violence in the Perth Metropolitan Area:
“SAC and AFLS have been delivering Family Violence Prevention Legal Services to Aboriginal people for more than two decades, across nine regional areas and to over twenty-five different Aboriginal language groups. We are excited to have the opportunity to bring our unique expertise to the Perth Metropolitan Area, where we will work hard to support local Aboriginal families and communities to be safe, strong, healthy and resilient.”
Ms Bhat said that the success of the joint tender was going to be critical to increasing the accessibility of the justice system for Aboriginal people in and around the Perth Metropolitan Area, noting the barriers created when non-Aboriginal organisations were funded to deliver services to Aboriginal people:
“Aboriginal people experience family violence differently, which is what makes the accessibility of Aboriginal controlled services, which know the history of their local communities and understand how they have been impacted by colonisation, dispossession and discrimination, so important. With a Board of Directors comprised entirely of Noongar Elders, I am confident that Southern Aboriginal Corporation’s leadership of this new Metropolitan Family Violence Prevention Legal Service will deliver the best possible outcomes for the local Aboriginal community. With the existing reach of Southern Aboriginal Corporation and Aboriginal Family Legal Service across the state, it also means that we will be able to continue to support our clients should they move from the Perth Metropolitan Area.”
Ms Bhat said Southern Aboriginal Corporation and Aboriginal Family Legal Service look forward to building and sustaining relationships with Aboriginal communities, stakeholders and service providers in the Perth Metropolitan Area.
To see the Attorney General’s Media Statement on the award of the Government tender, use this link: Media Statements – Aboriginal partners to provide Perth family violence legal service