Legal help after violence or abuse

If you have experienced violence, you might need to take legal action or go to court. Legal support can help you through the process. Here, we describe services that can help. We explain how to get the most out of the services available.

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Look after yourself first

The legal system can be stressful. If you find yourself struggling:

Ask family and friends for help.
Talk to a counsellor. You can learn more on the Neve page Counselling and therapy (internal link).
Call a helpline, like one that supports people after domestic and family violence or sexual assault. You can use the Neve Helplines directory (internal link).

Focus on healing. You can learn more in the Neve section Becoming stronger after hard experiences (internal link).

Remember, you have the right to justice. You have the right to respect. You have the right to get support as you recover from violence.

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You don't have to go it alone. You have the right to legal support when you attend court. Reach out for help.

Why get legal help after violence?

Legal support is useful if you have left a relationship that includes violence or abuse. It is also helpful if you are thinking about leaving.

It can help you:

Understand the family court system. You can learn more about this on the Neve page Family court (internal link).
Arrange protection orders, to help keep you safe. You can learn more about this on the Neve page Protection orders (internal link).
Understand the child protection system. You can learn more about this on the Neve page Child protection (internal link).

Hiring a private lawyer is expensive. If you can't afford to hire a lawyer, free help is often available.

Free legal aid

Each state and territory around Australia has a Legal Aid Commission. They provide information, legal advice, court lawyers, and other services.

Information and services like telephone advice are often free of charge. If you have a low income, you may also get a lawyer to represent you in court for free.

Here are links to the Legal Aid Commissions around Australia:

Disabilities should not be barriers to legal help

You're likely to get the most out of a legal service if you feel comfortable while you're there, understand the advice, and think that the lawyer or advisor has understood your situation.

You could ask for:

Information written in a way you can understand, like plain English or Easy Read.
Extra time with the service.
Printed information about the appointment, next steps and advice you've received.
A support person or advocate to go to the appointment with you.
A language translator or Auslan interpreter (external links). You may have to book this support person yourself.
A wheelchair accessible room.
A female lawyer.
A lawyer who has worked with other people who've experienced the same type of violence as you, like sexual violence or family violence.

Community legal centres

Community legal centres support people facing disadvantage and assist people with special needs. They can be a great place to find information about legal matters. Find out more about community legal centres at Community Legal Centres Australia website (external link).

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services

Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people can get free legal help from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services (ATSILS). You can get:

Advice
A lawyer to represent you in court
Information
Referrals to other services.

Every state and territory has ATSILS, but NSW and the ACT share a service. Here are links to the ATSILS around Australia:

The National Family Violence Prevention Legal Services is another helpful service. It offers culturally safe support for First Nations people who have experienced sexual assault or family violence. You can find a list of services here (external link).

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Family Advocacy and Support Services (FASS)

FASS provides free legal advice and support at court for people affected by domestic or family violence. It has services in every state and territory. Look for the link to your own state or territory on the FASS website (external link).

Violence and abuse

Many women and gender-diverse people experience violence and abuse. Violence can be physical, emotional or financial. It can make you feel isolated, ashamed and confused. You are not alone. You do not deserve to be hurt by anyone. Whatever form it takes, violence is about one person exerting control over another. Like everyone, you deserve to feel safe. You deserve to have control over your own life and your own body. This website section offers a safe, informative, and supportive environment to learn about different forms of violence and abuse. You can get a clear idea of how violence might be impacting you. You can find support. You can plan for a safer future.

Find out more

Protection orders

Legal protection from domestic and family violence and abuse is available through the courts in each Australian state and territory. Depending on where you live, there are different names for these court orders, but all protection orders are enforceable nationwide. Here, you can learn more about protection orders. You can learn how to apply for one and what it does and doesn't do.

Find out more