Emma House Domestic Violence Services will receive two grants totalling $102,174 to boost its ability to help vulnerable and disadvantaged Victorians, following a series of grant allocations announced by the Andrews Labor Government.
Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney MP said the funding for Emma House Domestic Violence Services was vital to ensure that vulnerable Victorians in the south west continue to receive support with legal matters.
Emma House Domestic Violence Services is one of 28 recipients of a Community Legal Centre Assistance Fund grant.
The first Emma House grant of $50,000 will be used to help provide legal advice and representation to rural women who have a legal matter arising from a situation of family violence.
This grant comes under the Community Legal Centre Assistance Fund, which will provide $2 million to centres over the next two years. Each community legal centre was eligible to
apply for a grant of up to $50,000 per year.
The grants fund a range of key frontline resources and programs including legal support for family violence matters; improved access to justice for newly arrived and refugee communities; and online services for regional and remote youth.
The second grant of $52,174 to Emma House will provide for the part time employment (six days per fortnight) of a solicitor at Emma House to address the increasing demand at Portland and Hamilton Court.
This grant is part of the Andrews Labor Government’s $1.2 million commitment to increase the availability of family violence duty lawyers helping victims with proceedings before the Magistrates’ Court.
This critical funding means that Emma House Domestic Violence Services can continue to run vital programs and services, as well as assist victims of family violence in the local community.
Quotes attributable to Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney MP:
“Community legal centres have a critical role in our community by providing essential services to disadvantaged and vulnerable Victorians.”
“The Andrews Government recognises the significant contribution they make to our justice system and we are proud to commit $50,000 from the Community Legal Centre Assistance Fund to better support Emma House in its vital services and programs.”
“We are equally pleased to announce an additional $52,174 to help Emma House deliver additional family violence services to our local community.”
“These grants will increase the availability of family violence duty lawyers who provide crucial legal services to victims with proceedings before Magistrates’ Court.”