Legal Support & Advocacy
What we do
Our legal advocacy team helps people who have been subjected to violence by supporting them to:
- apply for Family Violence Orders (FVOs)
- access legal advice (we can’t provide legal advice but can refer people to solicitors)
- develop victim impact statements
- give evidence in court
- kept informed and updated about domestic and family violence matters going to court
- liaise with key legal organisations, eg. the courts, ACT Policing, Corrections, Child protection service etc.
How we help
These services are provided under the umbrella of two programs:
- Court Advocacy Program – support with the FVO process
- Family Violence Intervention Program – offers updates and support while matters proceed through court after the person using violence has been charged.
What does it cost
These services are provided free of charge.
Contact us
To access our legal support and advocacy services call our 24/7 crisis telephone line 02 6280 0900. If it isn’t urgent another contact option is to email crisis@dvcs.org.au; this email is only monitored during business hours. You are welcome to call us reverse charges. If you live outside the ACT please call 1800RESPECT.
We do not make any sound recordings of our conversations. You do not need to give us your name, but if you do we make notes that we spoke to you. If you are unsure, please let us know at the start of the call and we can tell you about our confidentiality policy.
Applying for a FVO can be daunting and confusing. We have dedicated team members called Court Advocates who support people through the process. They provide you with:
- advice on the FVO application process
- assistance with completing FVO application forms
- support at meetings with solicitors
- advocacy in court and with government, policing and legal authorities
- support if you are required to give evidence in court or via closed circuit television, including attending hearings with you.
We also link people up with other supports such as legal advice and emergency childcare and liaise with the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions where needed.
The Court Advocacy Program operates from 9am to 4pm Monday to Friday and is based in the Magistrates’ Court in the City.
What does it cost
These services are provided free of charge.
Contact us
To find out more please call 02 6280 0900 or email crisis@dvcs.org.au. Please note all contacts in relation to the Court Advocacy Program, as with all other communication with DVCS, are treated in accordance with our confidentiality policy.
If you have experienced domestic violence and the person using violence has been charged, under ACT law you are entitled to updates on how the matter is progressing, and to certain information relevant to your safety. As a member of the ACT Family Violence Intervention Program, DVCS can offer case tracking for criminal family violence charges going through court.
Case tracking is managed by our Criminal Justice Advocate. Their role is to ensure you are informed and supported throughout the criminal court process by:
- providing you with updates each time the matter is in court or the defendant applies for bail
- discussing safety considerations and options with you at each stage of the process
- sharing your concerns with other relevant agencies.
What does it cost
These services are provided free of charge.
Contact us
To find out more please call 02 6280 0900 or email crisis@dvcs.org.au. Please note all contacts in relation to the Family Violence Intervention Program, as with all other communication with DVCS, are treated in accordance with our confidentiality policy.
Our Supporters
