Access to justice, embedded where it’s needed most

Women arriving at refuge often face multiple, urgent legal issues at the same time — and the stress of navigating complex legal systems can significantly impact safety, recovery and decision-making.

Legal Health at Refuge

Access where it's needed most

Feedback from Emerge staff, supported by our data, revealed that the average woman entering refuge was managing 4.2 concurrent legal issues, spanning areas such as intervention orders, family law, Victims of Crime processes, tenancy, fines and VCAT matters. Delays in accessing the right legal support often led to poor outcomes and added distress at a critical time.

In response, Emerge embedded legal support directly within refuge. In 2025, we commenced a three-year partnership with Peninsula Community Legal Centre, funded by our longstanding supporters at Kingston City Council, to deliver a place-based Legal Health at Refuge program.

Highly skilled and compassionate duty lawyers provide confidential, onsite legal support to all refuge clients — helping women understand their legal issues, explore their options, receive direct legal assistance, or connect quickly with the most appropriate specialist services.

Why it matters

Reduces stress and legal confusion at crisis point
Improves safety outcomes for women and children
Supports informed, empowered decision-making
Removes barriers to accessing justice
Clients consistently report that having trusted legal support available at refuge has strengthened their recovery and helped them make decisions that are right for them and their families.

Legal Health at Refuge strengthens safety outcomes, empowers informed decision-making, and supports longer-term stability for women and children.

Legal Health at Refuge gave our client timely, accessible support for their legal concerns. Being able to meet on-site removed the stress of organising childcare and meant they could focus fully on the appointment.

Refuge Case Manager

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