Family Violence Unit opens

Four years after opening its first Launceston location, Women’s Legal Service Tasmania has officially opened the new Northern Specialist Family Violence Unit office now located in Coulter Court, 9/1 87 Brisbane Street.

Both projects have demonstrated their merits and the communities have been left in limbo with the federal Labor government inexplicably placing Community Development Grant projects under review, to the detriment of regions like northern Tasmania.

“The review is nothing more than putting partisan politics ahead of local communities and is putting these projects at risk of considerable cost escalations due to unnecessary delays.

“I am waiting for assurances from the Federal Minister Catherine King that the projects will be approved without further delay.”

As the only trauma-informed legal service in Tasmania, WLST acknowledges the specific barriers and structural inequality that exists for women when accessing the legal system and has spent the last 25 years providing necessary legal assistance to women in need, particularly those seeking support in family and domestic-violence related matters.

Federal Member for Bass Bridget Archer works closely with the organisation to address the challenges that exist within the northern Tasmanian community around family and domestic violence.

“I have continually advocated for more funding to ensure Women’s Legal Service Tasmania can continue to provide critical services here in northern Tasmania,” Mrs Archer said.

“If the goal is to create better outcomes for women fleeing family and domestic violence situations, we must ensure the funding is delivered to the very services who can deliver these results.”

If you or someone you know needs assistance, please consider the following:

Telephone Legal Advice Line – 1800 682 468

Launceston Office – Northern Tasmania Specialist Family Violence Unit

If you are in the north of Tasmania and are experiencing, or have experienced, family violence and would like legal advice, information or referral you can call the Launceston office directly on 6349 1943, or call into the office (located at 9/1 87 Brisbane St.)