Legal Aid Commission launches a new family violence unit for state’s family courts

IN a Tasmanian first, the Legal Aid Commission will have a dedicated family violence assistance unit in the state’s Family Courts.

THE Legal Aid Commission of Tasmania will inject an extra $605,000 into family violence support services across the state.

Legal Aid director Graham Hill said the program would see duty lawyers and social workers in Tasmania’s Family Law Courts at Hobart, Launceston and Burnie.

Legal Aid Commission of Tasmania director Graham Hill.

“For the first time, the Commission will provide a dedicated family violence legal assistance unit in the Family Law Courts,” Dr Hill said.

In another first, social workers will be able assist legal aid clients affected by family violence.

Dr Hill said victims often needed advice at “crucial” times including during cross-examination of family violence perpetrators and vice versa.

“Victims find it hard to prosecute their case against a backdrop of intimidation and fear and end up foregoing their rights or not achieving the best outcome for them or their children,” he said.

“The new Legal Aid lawyers will help people affected by family violence by assisting them at crucial times in their matters.”

The new money takes the total Legal Aid funding for family violence to $948,000 – nearly tripling available resources to assist people affected by family violence.

The Commonwealth is funding the new service as part of the National Plan to Reduce Violence Against Women and Their Children.

The Tasmanian Aboriginal Health System issued a statement welcoming the move.

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Originally published as Legal Aid Commission launches a new family violence unit for state’s family courts