Marninwarntikura Women's Resource Centre - Women · Building · Belonging
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Family Violence Prevention Legal Service

Family Violence Prevention Legal Service (FVPLS)

The Family Violence Prevention Legal Service (FVPLS) is part of MWRC’s Strengthening Families Team, providing culturally safe, integrated legal and non-legal support to Aboriginal victim-survivors of family, domestic and sexual violence.

FVPLS operates as part of a broader, coordinated service system. This means women and families are supported not only with legal matters, but also through therapeutic care, case management and pathways to safety, healing and recovery.

Integrated Legal and Family Support

The FVPLS provides:

  • Legal advice and representation across family law, child protection and restraining order matters

  • Support navigating courts, police and statutory systems

  • Risk assessment and safety planning

  • Intensive case management and advocacy

  • Referrals into therapeutic, housing and community supports

Legal support is delivered alongside non-legal services to ensure women are supported holistically, not just through the legal process.

MWRC employs the only practicing solicitors based in the Fitzroy Valley, providing locally accessible, culturally informed legal assistance for Aboriginal people, with a strong focus on supporting women from the community.

Prevention, Early Intervention and Community Engagement

FVPLS also plays a key role in prevention and early intervention through:

  • Community legal education

  • Psychoeducation on family and domestic violence

  • Building understanding of rights, options and pathways

  • Supporting informed decision-making

This work is grounded in partnership with women and communities, recognising that long-term change comes from locally led solutions.

Supporting Safety, Wellbeing and Strong Families

FVPLS is focused not only on responding to legal issues, but on strengthening safety, wellbeing and family capacity.

Working within a trauma-informed, culturally grounded framework, the team supports women and families to:

  • Increase safety and stability

  • Navigate complex systems with confidence

  • Access the supports they need to heal and move forward

As part of the Strengthening Families model, FVPLS contributes to a single, integrated service experience where women are supported across their full journey, from crisis through to long-term recovery.