|
Women’s Domestic Violence Court Assistance Program
Contact information
What is the program?
It is a program to encourage and assist women who are victims of domestic violence to use the justice system to protect them from further violence.
The Program was established following a process of consultation with community organisations, the police, court personnel and government departments.It is funded by the NSW State Government and administered by the NSW Legal Aid Commission
What are the aims of the progam?
Its key aims are:-
- to assist women to use the court system to obtain Apprehended Violence Orders (AVO's)
- to ensure that women applying for AVO’s are legally represented in court
- to provide women with the emotional support, advocacy and information they need when they are applying for an AVO
- to provide women with appropriate referrals so that they can take action to deal with the consequences of domestic violence
The service is free to all women.
The Program also aims to work with court staff, legal professionals, police, community workers and others to improve the processes involved in obtaining AVO’s. This will ensure that the system operates more effectively both for women and for other service providers.
How does the program work?
The Program funds 33 Women’s Domestic Violence Court Support Schemes across NSW. It also provides training and resourcing for people offering court support.The schemes are all based in local community organisations.
A Training and Resource Unit, based at the Domestic Violence Advocacy Service, provides training for the court support workers and for people who work with them such as solicitors and community workers.Training is also provided for community organisations undertaking court support along with their other services.
How can women access a Court Support Scheme?
Women can contact the scheme in their local area prior to going to court. Or they can ask a Local Court staff to direct them to a court support scheme worker at court on the day the matter is listed. Community organisations can also refer women to schemes for assistance.
What will the Court Support Scheme do?
A worker from the scheme will:-
- talk to women about their needs and options
- ensure that women have legal representation in court if they want it
- advocate for women to ensure that the Apprehended Violence Orders that are made are tailored to meet their needs
- go with women to court and support them through the process
- refer women to services which can assist them with their other needs such as housing, social security and counselling
Contact Information
| Albury | 02 6021 3059 |
| Armidale | 02 6771 4221 |
| Bankstown | 02 9709 5622 |
| Bega | 02 6492 5002 |
| Blacktown/Mt Druitt | 02 9671 9126 |
| Blue Mountains/Lithgow | 02 4782 4155 |
| Bourke/Brewarrina | 02 6872 1200 |
| Broken Hill | 08 8087 2053 |
| Central Coast | 02 4350 3064
02 4325 6941 |
| Coffs Harbour | 02 6650 0302 |
| Dubbo | 02 6884 7388 |
| Hastings | 02 6583 4179 |
| Hawkesbury | 02 4588 5618 |
| Hornsby | 02 9487 3022 |
| Hunter | 02 4926 3329
(m) 0411 601 760 |
| Illawarra | 02 4228 1499 |
| Inner West | 02 9744 1866 |
| Kempsey | 02 6563 1479 |
| Lismore | 02 6622 3558 |
| Liverpool | 02 9601 6988 |
| Macarthur | 02 4628 6170 |
| Maitland | 02 4934 5332 |
| Manly/Warringah | 02 9971 4499 |
| Moree | 02 6752 7135 |
| Newtown | 02 9559 2899 |
| Nowra | 02 4423 2949 |
| Parramatta/Ryde | 02 9893 8866 |
| Penrith | 02 4731 5098 |
| Redfern | 02 9698 7277 |
| Southern Sydney | 02 9589 1200 |
| Taree | 02 6557 8122 |
| Wagga Wagga | 02 6921 6227 |
| Waverley | 02 9315 5700 |
| Domestic Violence Advocacy Service | 02 9637 3741 |
|
