Trauma-informed assistance

Kim had been served with an Initiating Application in the FCFCOA in relation to parenting, and had an imminent first return date. The lawyer involved obtained an urgent litigation grant of legal aid to respond. The other party was under investigation by a Victoria Police Sexual Offences and Child Abuse Investigation Team (SOCIT) in relation to allegations of various sexual offences against Kim. She had to be careful to comply with her disclosure obligations in her affidavit without prejudicing the Police investigation, which was at the arrest phase. This involved our lawyer having discussions with various Police departments. The other party was eventually charged but was released on bail. Kim was under extreme fear for some time until the other party was remanded in custody due to drug and weapons charges and further family violence offences.

The matter continued with the other party appearing from prison and we represented Kim to obtain final orders, including that she has sole parental responsibility for the children and that the other party spend no time with the children. Kim would not have been able to pay for a private lawyer or obtain a deferred fee arrangement.