Families

Women's Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Service


Funded by the Legal Aid NSW, the following information serves to assist those seeking support through the court services for protection against domestic violence.

 

About the service

The Women's Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Program (WDVCAP) funds 28 Women's Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Services (WDVCASs), servicing 108 local courts in NSW. Women's Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Services are locally-based, independent services for women and children seeking help and information about how to get protection from the court from domestic violence. Legal Aid NSW administers state government funding for the program.


 

Who the service helps

Women's Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Services assist women and children who are or have been experiencing domestic violence to obtain effective legal protection through applications for Apprehended Domestic Violence Orders (ADVOs).

 

What the service does

Women's Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Services help women to obtain legal protection from domestic violence and with other needs including accessing support services (for example financial assistance and advice, housing, counselling and family law issues). They can't provide legal advice but they can refer women to solicitors. In some areas they work with solicitors from the Legal Aid NSW Domestic Violence Practitioner Scheme.

  • Before court
  • At court
  • After court the WDVCAS can refer women to other services that can help with things such as safe housing, income support, children's needs, family law and counselling. The WDVCAS can provide information about what to do if the abuse continues.
  • they will make sure women have a safe place to sit at court, give them information to help them understand what is happening and work with them to get an order that is best for their situation. Women's Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Services will also keep them informed about the progress of their matter through the court, including future dates when they need to attend court.
  • if you have a domestic violence matter which is going to court and you want to know what will happen, they can provide you with information and other assistance.

 

Some Women's Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Services have specialist workers to help Aboriginal women, or women from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

For more information please click here or contact the Legal Aid team and the Women's Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Program Manager. Ph: 9219 5791, Legal Aid NSW, 323 Castlereagh Street, Sydney NSW 2000

 

For assistance in the Nowra court please contact 02 4423 8507

 

For assistance in the Moss Vale court please contact 02 4861 1911

 

 

 

 

Women's Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Services