Women’s Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Services

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Women’s Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Services (WDVCAS) provide information, assistance and court advocacy services to women and children experiencing domestic violence.

Locations: Griffith, Wagga Wagga and Albury

Our services include the following:

• assisting women and children who have experienced or who are experiencing domestic violence to obtain effective legal protection from New South Wales Local Courts through applications for Apprehended Domestic Violence Orders;
• assist all women who are the victim of a domestic violence incident involving NSW Police with advice, information and referral within one business day of the event occurring;
• facilitate women’s and children’s access to a support system that can assist them with their other legal and social/welfare needs; and
• establish partnerships with, and work in collaboration with, local police, local courts, other members of the justice sector and other local services to respond effectively to domestic violence.

Local Coordination Point

The new whole of Government Domestic Violence “Safer Pathways’ reforms were launched in 2014. The reforms form part of wider reforms to ensure that victims are able to access the help they need and that perpetrators are held accountable. Part of the reforms provided for a Domestic Violence Local Coordination Point (LCP). Acting as the first point of call for victims of domestic violence, the service coordinates a range of services to wrap around the victim and secure their safety and other welfare needs.

When the Police are called to a domestic violence incident, the victim’s details are sent immediately from Police to the Domestic Violence Local Coordination Point. This service contacts the victim within 1 day and acts to address the immediate safety needs of the victim.

Both Police and the LCP carry out a threat assessment on each victim to determine how much danger they are in. Victims deemed to be at serious threat of further injury or death are referred to a Safety Action Meeting (SAM). At the SAM a range of high-level Government and non-Government Service providers share information about each case so that services can act more quickly and effectively to protect the victim.

The meetings include agencies such as Police, Health, Corrections, Department of Communities and Justice, Department of Education and a range of non-government organisations. Ultimately, the aim is to reduce the chance of a victim incurring further injury or death.

The Local Coordination Point Provides:

• Domestic violence risk assessment and needs evaluation
• Safety planning and safety case coordination, including referral to agencies who can assist with escaping the violence, transport, refuges, security, victims compensation
• Referral to a Safety Action Meeting (SAM) including coordination of the meeting, the actions of the service providers and communication with the victim
• Referral and connection to the range of services available in the community, including Domestic Violence Specialist Services, housing agencies, Women’s Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Service etc.

For further information please contact:

Murrumbidgee: 02 6962 3893
(covering the courts of Griffith, Leeton, Narrandera, Hay and West Wyalong)

Murray River: 02 6046 9480
(covering the courts of Albury, Deniliquin, Corowa, Holbrook, Finley and Moama)

Riverina: 02 9063 8644
(covering the courts of Wagga Wagga, Temora, Tumut, Tumbarumba, Junee, Gundagai and Cootamundra)

Women’s Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Services Referrals

For service providers to refer clients to the Women’s Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Services, please use this form.