Domestic and family violence resources
Domestic violence impacts on many Legal Aid NSW clients. We aim to provide a high quality, client-centred and holistic service to these clients. Our Domestic and Family Violence Strategy provides a framework for our services to people in domestic violence situations.
Family Violence Law Help
- Family Violence Law Help website – this website has easy to understand information on domestic and family violence, family law, child protection, ADVOs and where to get help.
Guidelines and tip sheets
- Password Checklist - This Checklist reminds clients what passwords to change after leaving a violent relationship to increase their safety.
- Spyware and Safety, WESNET - This Checklist assists clients to check for spyware on their devices and helps clients protect themselves against spyware - This Checklist assists clients to check for spyware on their devices and helps clients protect themselves against spyware.
- Image-Based Abuse Tipsheet - This Tipsheet provides practical steps to assist clients where their intimate images are shared, or are threatened to be shared without consent.
- Screening, Identifying Risk and Responding to Domestic and Family Violence - This Tip Sheet provides guidance on how to screen, make plans around safety and assist clients who may be experiencing domestic and family violence.
- Risk Assessment Tip Sheet - This Tip Sheet provides practical guidance about how to ask about domestic and family violence and about what risk factors to look for.
- Safety Planning for High Risk Matters: Checklist - This Checklist is to assist lawyers and other staff to safely manage high risk legal matters.
- Best Practice Principles for Use in Parenting Disputes when Family Violence or Abuse is Alleged, Family Court of Australia, 2016
These best practice principles have been developed to provide decision makers with practical guidance in dealing with matters in which a notice has been filed alleging family violence or abuse. - Best Practice Guidelines in Family Law, Family Law Council and Family Law Section of the Law Council of Australia, 2010
Part 9 of these guidelines apply to family violence and include advice on screening, making needs assessments, carrying out safety planning, and proceedings to ensure personal protection. - Guidelines for contact with the complainant in apprehended domestic violence matters, Law Society of NSW, 2016
These guidelines outline some of the specific obligations and responsibilities of practitioners when dealing with complainants in apprehended domestic violence proceedings and in criminal matters.
Domestic violence services
- Women’s Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Service - Women's Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Services help women and children obtain legal protection from domestic violence and also help with other needs including accessing support services and legal advice. WDVCASs service 108 local courts across NSW.
- Domestic Violence Unit - The Domestic Violence Unit provides legal advice, assistance, referral and representation as well as social work support to victims of domestic and family violence.
- Family Advocacy and Support Services - The Family Advocacy and Support Services provide integrated legal and social support services to families affected by family violence in the Parramatta, Sydney, Newcastle and Wollongong Family Law Courts.
- Domestic Violence Practitioner Service, Legal Aid NSW Private solicitors, based in a number of local courts across NSW, are paid by Legal Aid NSW to give free independent advice to women experiencing domestic violence (including police clients) on ADVOS, family law, care and protection and victim’s compensation matters. They can also refer clients to other services for more legal help.
- Other referrals for clients
Domestic violence policies
Contact us
If you have a domestic violence issue call your closest Women's Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Service, LawAccess NSW on 1300 888 529 or Find a Legal Aid service.
If you have an inquiry about our domestic violence services please contact the Domestic Violence Unit.