commUnity+ and the Brimbank Melton Community Legal Centre is excited to announce that we are to receive an injection of funds to deliver targeted family violence legal supports in the Melton area. The announcement comes after the former Attorney General, the Honourble Jill Hennessy, announced in mid-2020 that additional funds would be released to community legal centres to empower them to continue to provide much-needed legal services and advice in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to the Crime Statistics Agency, during the 2020 COVID-19 April-June lockdown period, there was a 40% increase in family violence matters in the Melton Region, compared to the previous year’s timeframe. Our BMCLC team provided family violence legal support to more than 150 clients during this period alone, which was more than double the average over the previous 4 years. 

BMCLC will be working closely with key service providers, agencies and advocacy groups in the Melton area to codesign a service delivery model that is collaborative and targeted while ensuring that our service is holistic and integrated with existing supports. Our focus will be on supporting early intervention and prevention approaches, providing early resolution options, and delivering quality legal advice and support for women and families at risk of or experiencing family violence.

BMCLC and commUnity+ would like to thank Victorian Legal Aid, the Honourable Steve McGhie MP, and Attorney General’s Office for supporting BMCLC to undertake this work.