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
Australian Police Golden Oldies Rugby Sponsorship
NewsAFLS are happy to offer our support in sponsoring the Australian Police Golden Oldies Rugby
March Newsletter now available
NewsAFLS has taken on a number of new challenges this year. The Murdoch University collaboration is an exciting project (read more on page 11) and we’ve opened our first Community Support Officer role in Ardyaloon (One Arm Point).
The Ochre Ribbon event in February was a wonderful success. Thank you to all of the speakers and guests for coming along and making the day so memorable and inspiring. The other big news is that AFLS launched its Facebook page which we urge all of our members to view and friend us!
Take a look at the full newsletter!
Hannah McGlade’s “Raising black women’s voices”
NewsAboriginal Family Law Services’ board member Hannah McGlade is from the Noongar people and is the senior Indigenous research fellow at Curtin University. In her recent opinion piece for The Saturday Paper, “Raising black women’s voices”, Hannah writes:
Read the full article here.