The scheme currently operates Wednesday morning from 9:30am at the Downing Centre Local Court on Level 4.
The aim of the service is to give each woman who is in a domestic violence situation and is seeking a restraining order (also called an AVO) access to a solicitor and the assistance of a support worker.
This joint initiative is available to ensure that a woman's right to safety is protected through the legal process and that other problems affecting women in this situation are properly addressed
The WDVCAS is a service that provides help to women experiencing domestic violence. The scheme assists women with AVOs, safety, explaining the court process, after court support and help with the police.
If you wish to use the service contact the WDVCAS Coordinator at Redfern Legal Centre. This is important as you may need to fill out a Legal Aid Application form.
You can also discuss with her what is going to happen when you go to Court.
Interpreters for clients are usually ordered by court staff. If you are not sure whether the court has ordered one for you , contact the Clerk of the Court or ring Redfern Legal Centre at least three days before you are due to go to court.
Support workers attend the Downing Centre twice each week, Wednesday and Friday. At the court a separate room is available for you to sit and discuss your case with the support worker and the solicitor. The support worker can also provide you with information about other services for victims of domestic violence (e.g. housing, income security, counseling, ongoing support), and advise you on how to deal with these problems.
The solicitor will give you legal advice about the orders you are seeking and talk on your behalf to the Court.
An AVO is for your future protection. It is designed to restrain the behaviour of the defendant by imposing criminal penalties on them if they breach the order after it has been made. The period of time that an order is in force is up to the discretion of the Magistrate (usually about 2 years). It can also be negotiated with the defendant. If you wish to change the orders this can be done on the day, or later on after the first orders are made, by reapplying to the Court for a variation.
Your children can be named in a separate AVO. The police however must make the complaint if protection is to be sought for someone under 18. If the children are not included in an AVO, the violent person is not breaching an order by approaching them.