We work to make it easier for people who are facing family and sexual violence to get safe and fair support
Advocacy in action: giving families a greater chance at staying together
We worked alongside Aboriginal organisations, community legal centres and family violence support services to overturn unfair child protection laws that were permanently separating children from their parents.
Just weeks after the reforms came into effect, Victorian families were already getting more time to reunite safely.
More people need legal help but too many are missing out
Community legal services like Women’s Legal provide free, trusted support that helps people deal with problems early, before they become crises.
But currently, for every person who gets community legal services help, two more are turned away.
This state election, we are fighting for this to change through Community Legal - We’ve Got Your Back - the Federation of Community Legal Centres Victorian election campaign.
Latest news
Victim-survivors of family violence gain a pathway out of unfair speeding fines debt
Victoria has expanded its family violence fines scheme, helping family violence victim-survivors challenge excessive speeding fines and access new pathways to reduce fines debt.
Read more
Joint statement: Safety depends on support, not criminalisation
While coercive and controlling behaviour causes profound harm and must be addressed, a standalone criminal offence is unlikely to deliver the improvements in safety and accountability that victim-survivors deserve.
Read moreStay connected and informed
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Campaigns we support
Women’s Legal supports campaigns that align with our commitment to safety, dignity, equality and access to justice.
We work alongside partners—not in competition—to strengthen systems and improve responses for people experiencing violence.
Why advocacy matters
Our advocacy is shaped by what we see every day.
Our lawyers, social workers and financial counsellors work with hundreds of women and non‑binary people experiencing family and sexual violence every year. We see where laws and systems fall short or cause harm.
We use this insight to push for practical changes so victim-survivors are believed, are supported safely when they reach out for help and can access the right help without delay or confusion.
Jacinta Dwyer Research Internship
The Jacinta Dwyer Research Internship honours Jacinta Dwyer who was a compassionate lawyer, Magistrate and much‑loved former Women’s Legal staff member.
The internship gives law students and emerging professionals the chance to gain hands‑on experience alongside our lawyers and multidisciplinary team. Each intern completes a focused report that supports our services, advocacy or community education.
Interns leave with practical skills, a clear piece of work they can build on, and a stronger understanding of trauma‑informed, people‑centred legal practice.
Justice with dignity. Change that lasts.
Together, we can help women and non‑binary people get legal help with dignity and work for safer, fairer systems.