SUPPORT for victims of family violence in the Mallee will be further strengthened through partnerships formed with Victoria Legal Aid through its Family Advocacy and Support Services (FASS) program.
The program has established new partnerships with Mallee Sexual Assault Unit and Mallee Domestic Violence Service-Mildura and Mallee Family Care’s Community Legal Service to expand services which are expected to begin from late September this year.
FASS provides duty lawyer services and social supports for people impacted by family violence with matters in the family law courts, including by linking clients with accommodation, financial counselling and drug and alcohol support services.
In last year’s Budget, the Australian Government dedicated $85 million over three years to expand the national FASS program.
FASS family violence support services for female and gender-diverse clients will be provided by Mallee Sexual Assault Unit Inc. and Mallee Domestic Violence Service-Mildura as part of the new arrangements. Duty lawyer services will be provided by Victoria Legal Aid through Mallee Family Care Ltd Community Legal Service-Mildura.
Victorian Legal Aid said the new partnerships followed a competitive expression of interest processes.
The Mallee Sexual Assault Unit and Mallee Domestic Violence Services provide services for women, men and children throughout the northern and southern Mallee region, border communities of New South Wales, the Mallee Track and Shires of Gannawarra and Buloke.
Mallee Family Care Community Legal Centre supports communities across more than 120,000 square kilometres and includes 10 Local Government Areas in the northern and southern Mallee of Victoria and south west New South Wales.
The partnerships are among multiple new collaborations to expand FASS across the state and provide more legal advice and support in court for those impacted by family violence.
No To Violence will also provide FASS family violence support services for male clients at all Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia circuit locations and permanent registries.
