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NSW domestic violence community legal education resources


Produced by the Law and Justice Foundation of NSW for the Legal Information and Referral Forum, March 2009.

To check for recent plain language resources in English and other languages go to the Foundation’s search engine, Plain language law search – http://www.lawfoundation.net.au/pllsearch.

Although some of these resources may be out-of-date we have still included them as they provide an indication of the range of resources available. They may also indicate resources that need updating.

Contents:
  • General
  • AVOs /court support
  • Children and Young People
  • Culturally and linguistically diverse
  • Disabilities
  • Gay and lesbian
  • Indigenous Australians
  • Older women
  • Tenants

General

Domestic violence (Hot topics 66), Cathy Hammer, Legal Information Access Centre (LIAC), 2008, 24p. [Booklet]
http://www.liac.sl.nsw.gov.au
This issue outlines changes to the law on domestic violence in NSW, particularly to AVO proceedings and the new Crimes (Domestic and Personal Violence) Act 2007 (NSW) which came into force in March 2008. It has a listing of domestic violence and court support services.

Domestic violence: you can live without it, Department of Community Services, 2007, 1p. [Pamphlet]
http://www.community.nsw.gov.au/DOCS/STANDARD/PC_101594.html
This pamphlet contains information and contact points for women regarding violence and the law. Available in seventeen community languages: Arabic, Chinese, Croatian, Dari, Dinka, Farsi, Fijian, Korean, Macedonian, Russian, Samoan, Somali, Spanish, Tamil, Tongan, Turkish, and Vietnamese.

Is this Love? Women’s Legal Services NSW, [Factsheet]
http://www.womenslegalnsw.asn.au/pdfs/DVAS-Is-This-Love-P.pdf
A resource for young women in reference to their relationships.

Referral checklist for workers assisting women who have experienced domestic violence, Outer West Domestic Network, Outer West Domestic Violence Network, 2008, 26p. [Booklet]
http://www.servicenetwork.ngo.net.au/component/option,com_docman/task,doc_download/gid,521/Itemid,42/
This resource aims to assist workers dealing with families experiencing domestic violence in the Blacktown Local Government Area. It covers issues such as: what is domestic violence, what is an AVO and how to support people experiencing domestic violence.

Safer lives, better health: understanding and responding to domestic/family violence, Education Centre Against Violence, 2006, [DVD]
The Safer lives, better health DVD is aimed at health and interagency workers with a role in identifying and responding to people who experience domestic/family violence. It aims to contribute to understanding the dynamics of domestic/family violence, the tactics used to perpetrate domestic/family violence and the short and long-term health and social effects on those who are victimised.

Service directory for workers assisting women, children and young people experiencing domestic violence, Outer West Domestic Violence Network, Outer West Domestic Violence Network, 2008, 29p. [Booklet]
http://www.servicenetwork.ngo.net.au/component/option,com_docman/task,doc_download/gid,522/Itemid,42/
This resource aims to assist and inform workers dealing with families experiencing domestic violence in the Blacktown Local Government Area. It assists workers to make accurate referrals to services that can meet their clients' needs

Stand up 4 u!, Office for Women, NSW Department of Premier and Cabinet, 2007, [DVD]
http://www.women.nsw.gov.au/StandUp4U/standup4u.htm
This DVD aims to raise awareness of the need to develop healthy relationships. It explains the early signs of potentially abusive relationships and outlines which behaviours are controlling, isolating and undermine confidence.

Through new eyes: exploring the hidden dynamics of domestic violence, Hunter Women's Centre, 2003, [CD-ROM, Book, Audiotape] [Australia]
This resource aims to raise awareness about non-physical violence such as emotional, verbal, psychological, social, financial and sexual abuse. It consists of four videos, a CD-ROM, and a detailed facilitator book.

Women and family law, Women's Legal Services NSW, 8th edn. 2007, 92p. [Booklet, Web page]
http://www.womenslegalnsw.asn.au/documents/WomenandFamilyLawWeb.pdf
This publication explains women's legal rights when a relationship breaks down. It discusses how the Family Court works, where to get help in relation to divorce, children, income and child support as well as what to do about violence, harassment and property issues.

Women's Legal Service NSW pictorial pamphlet, Women's Legal Service NSW, Streetwize Communications, 2007, 10p. [Pamphlet]
http://www.womenslegalnsw.asn.au/publications-womens-legal-services-nsw.htm
This is a pictorial informational pamphlet on domestic violence with advice line contact numbers for Women's Legal Services NSW.

AVOs / court support

Getting an AVO, , Illawarra Legal Centre, 2006, [Booklet]
http://www.illawarralegalcentre.org.au
A comprehensive booklet to inform and assist women experiencing domestic violence.

Apprehended Violence Orders (AVOs), Local Courts New South Wales, 2007, 1p.
http://www.lawlink.nsw.gov.au/lawlink/local_courts/ll_localcourts.nsf/pages/lc_avo1
This factsheet targets both defendants and protected persons and explains what an AVO is, when it starts, what happens if the defendant disobeys the AVO, and cancelling or changing the AVO.

Apprehended violence orders: a guide to legal practice in NSW, Neville, M & Goss & L, Butterworths, 2003, [Booklet]
This practice manual is for anyone using apprehended violence legislation in NSW local courts. In addition to legislative commentary the guide provides basic information about the dynamics of domestic violence and gives details of support services. Funded by the Law and Justice Foundation of NSW.

Apprehended Violence Orders. Information for applicants and persons in need of protection. Legal Aid NSW, 2008 [Factsheet]
http://lacextra.legalaid.nsw.gov.au/Publications/FileUpload/Doc/ImprintFile445.pdf
Courts can make orders to protect you from a person who has been violent towards you. This factsheet explains how you can get an order and what happens in court.

Domestic violence and AVOs, Wirringa Baiya Aboriginal Women's Legal Centre, 2006, 1p. [Pamphlet]
http://wirringabaiya.org.au/Information/Factsheets/Domestic%20Violence%20and%20AVO
This pamphlet briefly explains domestic violence including physical, sexual, emotional, social and financial. It also explains what an AVO is, how to get one and how it works.

Domestic violence, Legal Aid NSW, 2008 [Information card]
http://lacextra.legalaid.nsw.gov.au/Publications/FileUpload/Doc/ImprintFile434.pdf
This wallet card accompanies the brochure So you want the violence to stop. Advice about domestic violence and help at court.

Go girl ,Women’s Legal Services NSW, [Video, Booklet]
http://www.womenslegalnsw.asn.au/publications-womens-legal-services-nsw.htm#DVASPublications
This information and training video about AVO hearings includes an accompanying booklet. The video is aimed both at women victims of domestic violence and the service providers who assist them. The video is the story of two aboriginal sisters who guide us through their experience and bring clarity to what can be a daunting and confusing process.

Just a piece of paper? Making your AVO work for you., Maree Livermore, 2nd edn., Southern Women's Group Inc. - Bega, 2008, 20p. [Booklet]
http://thebegavalley.org.au/12412.html
This booklet has been written to assist women who have gone through the legal process of obtaining an Apprehended Domestic Violence Order (ADVO) to inform them about their rights and responsibilities in maintaining an effective AVO.

So you want the violence to stop - Advice about domestic violence and help at court. Legal Aid NSW, 2008 [Booklet, Poster]
http://lacextra.legalaid.nsw.gov.au/publications/publications.aspx
This booklet outlines how the Women’s Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Service assists women to apply for an Apprehended Domestic Violence Order and how women can stop the cycle of abuse. It is also available in an alternative format for Aboriginal communities and as a poster. Available in Arabic Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional), Dari/Farsi, Greek, Hindi, Italian, , Kurdish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Tagalog, Thai, Vietnamese

Walking through the courts project: getting an apprehended violence order, Immigrant Women's Speakout Association of NSW, South Sydney Domestic Violence Liaison Committee, Violence Against Women Unit - NSW Attorney General's Department, 2002, [Factsheet, Poster]
These brochures, posters and training module explain the legal process involved in getting an apprehended violence order and support agencies that are available. Available in English, Chinese, Vietnamese and Arabic.

Want to stay at home and have the violence leave?, Violence Against Women Specialist Unit, 2006, 1p. [Pamphlet]
http://www.lawlink.nsw.gov.au/lawlink/vaw/ll_vaw.nsf/pages/vaw_resources_pamphlets
This pamphlet for women explains exclusion orders which can assist the victim to remain at home as part of an AVO.

Perpetrators

Domestic Violence Offences Information for defendants Legal Aid NSW, 2008, [Factsheet]
http://lacextra.legalaid.nsw.gov.au/Publications/FileUpload/Doc/ImprintFile385.pdf
This factsheet explains what happens when you go to court.

Is someone making an AVO against you? Legal Aid NSW, 2008, [Factsheet]
http://lacextra.legalaid.nsw.gov.au/Publications/FileUpload/Doc/ImprintFile290.pdf
Courts can issue an order against you if another person claims you have been violent towards them. This factsheet explains when the court can make an order and what you can do.

Children and Young People

Bursting the bubble, Domestic Violence and Incest Resource Centre, 2004, [Web page] [Australia]
http://www.burstingthebubble.com
This site is for Australian teenagers living with family violence or abuse, witnessing domestic violence, or experiencing physical or sexual abuse or neglect. It helps young people identify forms of abuse and violence in families, provides stories and answers to questions about telling professionals or child protection, and provides information on leaving home, safety planning, services available, and on how to deal with feelings and how to help a friend.

Young people and family domestic violence, The Queensland Centre for Domestic and Family Violence Research, 2004, 4p. [Factsheet] [Australia]
http://www.noviolence.com.au/public/factsheets/youngpeople.pdf
This factsheet examines impact of domestic violence on young people and provides strategies to help protect young people from these effects.

Culturally and linguistically diverse

Domestic/Family violence and Australian immigration law: a guide to the law. Immigration Advice and Rights Centre Inc., 2009, 18p. [Australia]
http://www.iarc.asn.au/publications/pdfs/DVinformationBooklet.pdf
This is a plain English guide to how the domestic/ family violence provisions operate under Australian immigration law. The booklet provides comprehensive guidance to victims of domestic/family violence, social workers, community workers, migration agents and others It is being translated into several community languages

Domestic violence plays in community languages, Immigrant Women's Speakout Association of NSW, 2005, [CD-ROM]
http://www.speakout.org.au/dvcd.htm
"Domestic violence is not OK" and "Apprehended Violence Orders" are two plays about domestic violence aimed at new and emerging communities The plays have been translated into Dinka, Sudanese Arabic, Somali, Kriol and Dari and aired on SBS radio. They are also available on CD-ROM Produced with the assistance of a Law and Justice Foundation grant. Further funding has recently been granted to produce an audio CD outlining legal issues of domestic violence for women with low literacy.

Kurdish women's legal plays, Immigrant Women's Speakout Association of NSW, [Audiotape]
These audiotapes contain eight plays in Kurmanci and Sorani (Kurdish) dialects, dealing with legal topics such as domestic violence, immigration, divorce and separation. English transcripts accompany the cassette.

Macedonian directory on domestic violence and where to get help?, Macedonian Australian Welfare Association of Sydney, 2002, 26p. [Booklet]
This directory discusses domestic violence, including what action can be taken and referral resources, in Macedonian and English.

You are not the only one, Immigrant Women's Speakout Association of NSW, 2005, [Video]
This video consists of interviews with three survivors of domestic violence looking at the effects of domestic violence and social and cultural constraints facing women leaving violent relationships.

Disabilities

Violence against women with disabilities resource manual, Women With Disabilities Australia (WWDA), 2007, 332p. [Booklet, CD-ROM] [Australia]
http://www.wwda.org.au/vrmflyer1.pdf
This resource manual comes in four booklets with accompanying audio and PDF versions on a CD-ROM. It includes narratives from women with disabilities who experience violence, a global review of violence against women with disabilities, information about domestic violence and women with disabilities and a guide for women's refuges to develop disability discrimination act action plans.

Gay and lesbian

Another closet: domestic violence in gay and lesbian relationships, Aids Council of NSW, 2007, [Web site]
http://www.ssdv.acon.org.au/
This website targets people in same sex relationships who are experiencing domestic violence. It contains information on what domestic violence is, domestic violence in same sex relationships, what to do if you are experiencing abuse and the details for a number of important referral services.

Indigenous Australians

A little black book for strong black women, Violence Against Women Specialist Unit, 2007, [Booklet]
http://www.lawlink.nsw.gov.au/lawlink/vaw/ll_vaw.nsf/vwPrint1/vaw_index
This violence prevention diary for Aboriginal women is designed to reduce sexual assault and domestic and family violence experienced by Aboriginal women and children in NSW. It includes legal and educational information around sexual assault and domestic violence, contacts, messages from women who have experienced sexual assault and domestic and family violence, and calendar, address and note pages.

Domestic Violence: helping you go to court - Specific to Aboriginal women
http://lacextra.legalaid.nsw.gov.au/Publications/FileUpload/Doc/ImprintFile296.pdf
This brochure outlines how this program assists women to apply for an Apprehended Domestic Violence Order and obtain court support.

Is this Love? Women’s Legal Services NSW, [Factsheet]
http://www.womenslegalnsw.asn.au/pdfs/DVAS-Is-This-Love-Ab.pdf
A resource for young Aboriginal women in reference to their relationships.

It's not right: Enough is enough, Gayle Kennedy & Ross Carnsew, Streetwize Communications, 2005, 28p. [Comic]
http://www.streetwize.com.au/publications_aboriginal.html
Aimed at Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men and women, this comic looks at how to identify family violence and what to do if you are experiencing it. It contains one story from a man's perspective and one from a woman's perspective, plus contact details for advice and assistance.

Our dream: stopping the violence, Women's Legal Services NSW, 2nd edn. 2007, 48p. [Booklet]
http://www.womenslegalnsw.asn.au/documents/OurDreamWeb19-4-07.pdf
This information booklet is for Aboriginal women, and discusses domestic violence and the law in NSW. The edition has been updated to include legal information about the changes to NSW domestic violence law that occurred in March 2007.

Through young black eyes: a handbook to protect children from the impact of family violence and child abuse, Kenny Bedford & Michele Moloney, 2nd edn. Secretariat of National Aboriginal and Islander Child Care (SNAICC), 2005, 154p. [Book] [Australia]
http://srs.snaicc.asn.au/projects/default_resources.cfm?loadref=61
This book discusses family and domestic violence with a particular focus on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. It covers child abuse and neglect, sexual assault, reporting child protection matters and a directory of services and resource information for each state.

Older women

Are you an older woman? do you feel safe at home?, Illawarra Legal Centre, 2005, [Pamphlet]
http://www.illawarralegalcentre.org.au/LiteratureRetrieve.aspx?ID=8642
This pamphlet defines different types of violence and offers advice about how to stay safe. It provides information about AVOs including how to apply for one, and what happens if it is breached. Contact details for legal services in the Illawarra region are included. The booklet is also available in Chinese, English, Italian, a Koori version in English, Macedonian, Portuguese, and Turkish

Are you experiencing violence or abuse?, Legal Aid NSW, 2008, 4p. [Factsheet]
http://lacextra.legalaid.nsw.gov.au/Publications/FileUpload/Doc/ImprintFile401.pdf
This factsheet targets older people and explains what is classified as abuse, how the law can offer protection, compensation and organisations who can help.

Home is where the hurt is, Robyn Sedger, Blue Mountains Community Legal Centre, 2005, 210p. [Booklet]
http://www.eeclc.org.au/SiteMedia/w3svc754/Uploads/Documents/Order%20form.pdf
This training resource is designed to improve advocacy and service delivery for older women who experience violence from within their domestic relationships. The seven sections will assist workers to provide women who experience violence or abuse with: support, advocacy and referrals; resources and information on options for dealing with these issues; assistance in accessing the legal system; an exploration of social and personal assumptions about older women, aging and violence. Produced with funding assistance from the Law and Justice Foundation of NSW.

Older women and domestic violence, Sharron McKinnon, Jessie Street Domestic Violence Services Inc, 2005, 29p. [Booklet]
This booklet explains the different components of domestic violence that may impact upon older women and provides a directory of relevant support services including alcohol and drugs, crisis accommodation, carers, domestic violence, financial, grief and loss, health, housing, legal, transport and neighbourhood centres.

Older women and domestic violence: resource guide for workers, Sharron McKinnon, Jessie Street Domestic Violence Services Inc, 2005, 33p. [Booklet]
This resource is a guide to some of the issues that may impact upon older women experiencing domestic violence and aims to assist community workers to help them access appropriate services.

Tenants

Domestic violence and tenancy, Illawarra Legal Centre, 2005, [Factsheet]
http://www.illawarralegalcentre.org.au/doc/DV_tenancy_f_s1.pdf
This factsheet informs people who are experiencing domestic violence about their rights regarding leaving or staying in their rented home.

When violence affects a tenancy, The Tenants Advice Service (Inc.) WA, 2002, [Booklet] [WA]
http://www.msau-mdvs.org.au/pdfs/whenviolenceaffectsatenancy.pdf
Topics covered include: how violence can affect your tenancy, getting better security and the owners obligations to ensure security, responsibility for damages, how to apply for a restraining order and the different types of restraining orders that are available, what to do when the owner/agent is violent, and also Homeswest (Western Australia Department of Housing and Works) obligations. It also provides a list of contacts for advice on what to do if you are a victim of violence and lists some relevant laws regarding tenancy.

Prepared by the Law and Justice Foundation of NSW
March 2009
02 9227 3208

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