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Women’s legal service seeks $25m boost amid major demand increase
Amid new data that indicates women’s legal services are now struggling to manage over 70 per cent more ongoing legal cases for at-risk women and children, a major body has called on the federal government to provide an additional $25 million.
Naomi Neilson
New case data from Women’s Legal Service Australia (WLSA) shows that its services across Australia have substantially increased its long-term support for disadvantaged women, with a 30 per cent increase in cases that require ongoing representation in courts and tribunals compared to the 2019-20 reporting period.
Central Australian Women’s Legal Service managing principal solicitor Janet Taylor commented: “In every corner of Australia, from capital cities to the most remote areas, women are reaching out in unprecedented numbers to seek help.
“Last year we advised the federal government our services needed $25 million to meet the demand, but we received no response. Our legal system can’t protect women if they can’t access it. If the government and its new taskforce of women want to stamp out violence, then it must fully fund the specialist legal support.”
WLSA submitted that it is also providing twice the level of specialist non-legal assistance like financial counselling and social services as increasing numbers of women require wrap-around support to safely escape violence with their children.
Ms Taylor said that due to this, $25 million is a “small ask” in the context of the federal budget and that without continuing specialist legal services in combination with other supports, the results for women and children can often be fatal.
“Many of the women seeking help are experiencing coercive control, an insidious form of family violence that can include financial abuse, monitoring and isolation as well as physical violence. Studies show attempting to leave this kind of abuser significantly heightens the risk of homicide,” Ms Taylor said.
“For these cases, generalist legal assistance isn’t enough. Women’s legal services are specialised. We understand these forms of violence and the dangers involved for both women and children. We work collaboratively with other services and we ensure risk assessment and safety planning is central to legal pathways taken.”
Naomi Neilson
Naomi Neilson is a senior journalist with a focus on court reporting for Lawyers Weekly.
You can email Naomi at:
