Women in the Pilbara experiencing family or domestic violence now have access to free legal services thanks to a new two-year pilot program by Women’s Legal Service Western Australia (WSLWA).

WSLWA is a specialist not-for-profit Community Legal Centre and is the only standalone Women’s Legal Service in Western Australia.

They provide a range of quality legal services including a state-wide phone service, an outreach program to women in the Pilbara, as well as advice and possible representation in court matters relating to protection and care, family law, criminal injuries compensation, family violence restraining orders and divorce applications.

WLSWA CEO Gillian Booth-Yudelman said family and domestic violence services are vital in regions like the Pilbara, as distance often hampers women from accessing appropriate legal support and advice.

“Despite the physical distance challenges for those living in regional WA, what we’ve found so far is, providing support from our office in Perth has actually been an advantage,” WSLWA CEO Dr Booth-Yudelman said.

“It means women experiencing family or domestic violence can be more discrete in their call for help and support – and our all-female team of lawyers, financial counsellors and volunteers are eager, ready and willing to help.

“All our lawyers are female and trauma informed and all our clients are women. This venture comes at a time when family and domestic violence as a result of COVID-19 are on the rise, with Western Australia experiencing one of the highest reported rates in the country.”

This WLSWA Pilbara Pilot project is supported by BHP and will provide a broader range of quality legal services to women across Western Australia.

If you, or someone you know could use the support of WLSWA, they can be contacted as follows:

Ph. 9272 8800

Fax. 9272 8866

Country 1800 625 122

Email info@wlswa.org.au

www.wlswa.org.au