If something is happening at home that makes you feel unsafe, the ALS is here to support you.
We offer free and confidential help for you and your kids.
Information for women and children in the NSW Hunter region
The Aboriginal Legal Service is introducing a culturally safe, wraparound service for women and children in the Hunter Valley, Newcastle and Lake Macquarie areas.
Come have a cup of tea and a yarn in our safe meeting space. We’ll help you get to a place where you feel protected and empowered.
Legal Assistance for Women program:
Open Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm
Level 2, 456-460 Hunter Street
Newcastle, Awabakal Country
How we help
If there is anything making you feel unsafe, our team is here to advocate and look out for you.
We have lawyers, a social worker, and community support workers who will work together to find the right support for you.
About us
As an Aboriginal community-controlled organisation, we are committed to being culturally safe, sensitive and respectful.
Our lawyers for this service work separately from other ALS lawyers. This means we can probably help you even if another ALS lawyer is helping a partner or family member that you are having problems with. We promise to keep your information private and confidential.
Referrals
If you or someone you're helping would like to receive support from our team, please fill out our referral form. It'll take about 5 minutes.
Information for people in the NSW South Coast and ACT
The ALS Family Violence Prevention Unit offers free and holistic support to keep your family safe.
Our team can advocate for you and look out for your needs, both legal and non-legal.
Come have a cup of tea and a yarn in our safe meeting space. We’re here to help you be in a place where you feel protected and empowered.
Family Violence Prevention Unit Nowra:
Open Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm
2/64 North Street
Yuin Country
Family Violence Prevention Unit Canberra:
Open Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm
Level 7, 17-21 University Avenue
Ngunnawal Country
How we help
We can help with legal issues including:
- Domestic and family violence
- Sexual assault
- ADVOs (NSW) / Family Violence Orders (ACT)
- Seeing and contacting your kids
- Arrangements for children
- Child support payment
- Problems with DCJ (used to be known as DOCS) (NSW) / Problems with Child Youth & Protection Services (CYPS) (ACT)
- Victims’ support
- Divorce and separation
- Money problems, credit and debt
- Housing and tenancy
- Issues with Centrelink and other government departments
- Problems with your kids’ school
We can also help with related, non-legal issues including:
- Parenting issues
- Safe housing
- Mental health
- Counselling
- Drugs and alcohol support
About us
As an Aboriginal community-controlled organisation, we are committed to being culturally safe. We have Aboriginal caseworkers and lawyers who will treat you with respect and understanding.
Lawyers for the ALS Family Violence Prevention Unit work separately from other ALS lawyers. This means we can probably help you even if another ALS lawyer is helping someone that you’re having problems with. We promise to keep your information private and confidential.
Funding for this program
The government has given the ALS funding to provide this service up to December 2023, but we know our communities need family violence support for the long term. We are advocating for government investment to provide permanent, ongoing support.
Information for people living elsewhere in NSW
Please call our family law team on 1800 733 233 or email [email protected].
We will provide support if we can, or refer you onto another service that can help with your situation.
