Stop cuts to this vital service for women affected by family violence

VICTORY! After months of campaigning by Fair Agenda members, in partnership with Community legal workers, domestic violence groups, survivor advocates and others - the Turnbull Government announced on the 24th April a full reversal to the three years of scheduled cuts to Community Legal Centres! 

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Community Legal Centres are a critical, potentially life-saving, service for many women trying to escape an abusive partner. 

In order to escape, many women will first need to know how they can access shared funds or property, if they'll be able to keep their children safe, and if they'll be able to untangle themselves from any financial abuse and debt that might have been used to try and trap them.

Right now, family violence and family law are the two biggest areas of work for Community Legal Centres in Australia. And inadequate funding is already limiting their work so much that Centres are forced to turn away 160,000 people a year - many of them women trying to escape violence. 

Now the Government is about to make things even worse. The Turnbull Government has just confirmed that from 1 July 2017 it plans to cut a whopping 30% of Community Legal Centres' funding. These cuts will cripple Community Legal Centres, and leave thousands more women each year without this essential lifeline they need to escape family violence.

Will you sign and share the petition against the cuts, and help stop this cruel cut to this vital community service? 

*If you or someone you know is experiencing family violence, you can call 1800 RESPECT on 1800 737 732 for 24/7 support. If you are in immediate danger, call 000.

Find out more (click to view)

Australia is in the midst of a family violence crisis. The statistics are stark. 81,900 women say they have wanted to escape their current violent partner, but never have. Further 1 in 12 women have indicated they have been forced to return to their abusive partner because they had nowhere else to go. At the same time, the funding for services women need to live free from danger are being cut by governments; leaving thousands of women in danger. 

Community Legal Centres:

  • name the top two areas of work as family law and family-violence related matters
  • are currently forced to turn away 160,000 people annually because of under-funding (including but not limited to those affected by family violence)
  • are facing cuts of $12.1 million (30% of funding) due to take effect from 1 July 2017
  • Actually need an *extra* $14.4 million to meet existing demand 

Can you join the campaign to reverse these cuts, and fully fund, Community Legal Centres?

-References-

"This budget is devastating and dangerous for women experiencing family violence", Mamamia, 4 May 2016. 
"Thousands of women in danger" without billions more in funding to tackle domestic violence, advocates say, BuzzFeed News, 19 May 2016.

Help us get to 7,500 signatures

5,493 SIGNATURES

Dear Malcolm Turnbull and the Federal Government,

We are calling on you to reverse your devastating funding cuts to Community Legal Centres, and commit to fully funding them instead, so that no more women in Australia are left unable to escape from family violence.

Signed,

Fair Agenda will email petition signers from time to time with important updates

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Latest activity

Robyn , 67110  /  signed 2016-10-19 14:46:07 +1100
Nicole , 2519  /  signed 2016-10-19 14:45:46 +1100
Jae-Yung , 2612  /  signed 2016-10-19 14:45:45 +1100
"Imagine a world where you can’t access the right legal help; the courts are adversarial and costly; tribunal submissions are confusing and difficult. Community legal centres provide that help. It’s vital to a well functioning society"
Pamela , 2213  /  signed 2016-10-19 14:44:39 +1100
Sarah , 2033  /  signed 2016-10-19 14:44:08 +1100
Amelia , 2015  /  signed 2016-10-19 14:38:59 +1100
"It is intolerable that the government, whilst touting it’s credentials in overcoming violence against women, would so savagely cut the very services that women and families need to negotiate the legal process.

If you are serious about this issue, you must reconsider."
Ravitesh , 2171  /  signed 2016-10-19 14:38:18 +1100
"I am a solicitor at a Community Legal Centre in a socially disadvantaged area, and prior to this I worked in private practice in a similar area. The gap between those who can afford private legal fees and those who cannot qualify for Legal Aid is widening. This is where CLCs step in, particularly in cases for women who are emotionally and financially vulnerable due to family violence. Do not let this get any worse than it already is."
Deanne , 4022  /  signed 2016-10-19 14:38:08 +1100
"This service is a much needed service that offers a level of standard and service that is not offered by any other community legal service to those most in need and most vulnerable. We need greater funding to meet the needs of our communities not less! Legal services are integral to supporting women and children escaping Domestic and family violence (D&FV) and in informing them of their rights as Australia is a multicultural society and a collaboration or integral services Is needed to work togheter in addressing the diverse issues related to D&FV. Stand up and speak out! more not less $$$$"
Lisa , 4501  /  signed 2016-10-19 14:37:47 +1100
Mary , 2011  /  signed 2016-10-19 14:36:56 +1100
"Mary Egan"
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