By Aneeka Simonis
A DEDICATED family violence lawyer has been funded to serve the Cardinia and Casey region, and those working in the field can soon access free legal training.
Casey Cardinia Community Legal Service has been awarded $47,577 as part of a State Government family violence grant.
The funding will employ an additional full-time family violence duty lawyer who will help reach more family violence victims in the region.
The Community Legal Centre Family Violence Fund grant forms part of the $4.6 million funding package delivered for family violence-related legal services in the Victorian Budget 2016/’17.
Attorney-General Martin Pakula said: “Community legal centres play a crucial role to support victims in court, secure housing and to resolve family violence-related debts.”
Free legal training will be offered to those working in Cardinia Shire’s family violence sector.
The training will largely focus on family violence law and how it relates to newly settled families, including training around partner visas and forced marriage as a form of family violence.
The four-week program will also look at child protection and family law including post-separation parenting disputes.
The training specifically addresses many questions that clients from new and emerging communities have about laws in Australia.
The training will help workers identify legal issues and make referrals to support clients in navigating legal processes.
The Settled and Safe Legal Education Training sessions are being put on by the Cardinia Family Violence Network and Victoria Legal Aid.
There is a maximum of 20 participants, and participants are required to attend all four sessions.
For information contact info@togetherwecan.org.au
If you require any assistance, call 1800 Respect on 1800 737 732.
3 November: Introduction and Family Law (Post-separation parenting disputes) – Laws and processes
Time: 10am-1pm
Address: Connections Office Level 2/ 50 Station Street, Pakenham
10 November: Child Protection – Children’s law and processes
Time: 10am-12.30pm
Address: Anglicare Level 1, 66-68 Main Street, Pakenham
17 November: Family Violence – Prevalence, Causes, Impact
Time: 10am-12.30pm
Address: Anglicare Level 1, 66-68 Main Street, Pakenham
24 November: Family Violence Laws and processes – Intervention Orders
Time: 10am-1pm
Address: Anglicare Level 1, 66-68 Main Street, Pakenham
