The FVPLS Victoria provides legal services to Aboriginal victims/survivors of family violence and sexual assault. This includes women, men and children. We can also assist non Indigenous parents/carers of Aboriginal children who are victims/survivors of family violence.

We cannot assist perpetrators of family violence but will refer perpetrators to other services who can assist.

Our priorities in providing legal services are as follows:

CONFIDENTIALITY

Information you give to staff at the FVPLS Victoria is private and will not be disclosed to anyone without your written permission. The FVPLS Victoria is an independent stand alone organisation. Your privacy is guaranteed. If FVPLS Victoria has assisted a person you are in dispute with we will explain that we have a conflict of interest and will refer you to other services.

SAFETY

As a victim/survivor of family violence your’s and your family’s safety is the number one priority. Taking steps to make sure you are safe must always come first. In giving legal advice and in assisting you to decide what if any legal action to take we will always consider your safety. Every situation is different and requires its own unique response.

SUPPORT

It is very difficult to make any decisions, let alone legal decisions when you are in a crisis or when you have suffered trauma. The FVPLS Victoria understands that safe housing, financial support, children's issues, Centrelink, medical care, counselling and other immediate concerns must be attended to and that good support for this is needed. The FVPLS Victoria uses its networks to ensure that you receive assistance in these areas. The more supported you are the less stressful the legal issues are likely to be.

CHILDREN

The FVPLS Victoria in giving advice and assistance acknowledges the serious impact family violence has on children both as direct victims and as witnesses of violence in the home.

EMPOWERMENT

It is crucial that legal information and answers to your questions are explained clearly and simply so that you can make well informed decisions that are best for you. Too often we hear of people who have agreed to things they haven’t understood or agreed only because they felt they had no choice.

RESPECT

Family Violence and sexual assault impacts on people differently and responses change over time. The FVPLS Victoria will explain your legal options, offer support and move at a pace you are happy with. Sometimes the legal system with its rules and timelines will not slow down to a pace you can deal with and at other times it will seem to be moving too slow. The FVPLS Victoria is happy to talk these things through. Counselling support is often helpful

IMPROVING THE SYSTEM

The FVPLS Victoria is committed to advocating for improvements in the way that the community, the legal system and authorities respond to and address family violence and sexual assault. Through the work we do and feedback we receive we promote legal and policy change. The FVPLS Victoria will take up issues of concern which come to our attention and we encourage as much input as possible.