Women’s Legal Service (SA) Limited

Women’s Legal Service (SA) Limited is a community-based, not-for-profit organisation dedicated to providing free, confidential, and accessible legal services to women across South Australia, particularly those facing vulnerability or disadvantage. Established in 1994, it has grown into a vital resource for women navigating complex legal challenges, often within contexts of social, economic, and cultural disadvantage.

Mission and Vision

The organisation’s vision is to achieve justice for women, ensuring that women and their families in vulnerable situations have state-wide access to justice in a holistic, empowering, culturally competent, and confidential manner. Its mission is rooted in values of respect, empowerment, justice, excellence, transparency, teamwork, commitment, and leadership. Women’s Legal Service (SA) Limited strives to deliver high-quality, tailored legal services that address the unique needs of women in South Australia, while also advocating for systemic change to promote equality and access to the law.

Main Objectives

• Provide free legal information, advice, assistance, referrals, and representation to women across South Australia.
• Prioritise services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) women, women in rural, regional, and remote areas, women experiencing family violence, women living with disabilities, and women with children.
• Deliver community legal education and workshops to increase awareness of legal rights and issues affecting women.
• Advocate for law reform and policy changes that improve access to justice for women.
• Offer non-legal support services, including crisis management, housing assistance, counselling, and financial advice, to address the broader social needs of clients.

Benefiting Groups

Women’s Legal Service (SA) Limited primarily serves women who are socially, economically, or culturally disadvantaged, including those affected by family violence, sexual assault, child protection matters, and migration issues. The organisation places special emphasis on supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, as well as women from CALD backgrounds and those living in rural, regional, and remote communities, recognising the additional barriers these groups often face in accessing legal support.

Types of Services and Activities

• Free and confidential legal advice via telephone and in-person consultations, including outreach services to metropolitan, rural, regional, and remote locations.
• Legal representation in family law, family violence, child protection, and migration cases, particularly for women who do not qualify for other legal aid.
• Community legal education seminars and workshops to empower women with knowledge about their rights and the legal system.
• Specialist programs such as the InDIGO Domestic Violence Unit, Family Law & Family Violence Program, Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Women’s Program, and the Women’s Specialist Program, each tailored to address specific needs within the community.
• Non-legal support services, including referrals to housing, counselling, and financial counselling, to ensure holistic support for clients.
• Law reform initiatives and advocacy to address systemic barriers and promote gender equality within the legal system.

Through these comprehensive services, Women’s Legal Service (SA) Limited plays a critical role in empowering women, promoting safety, and fostering access to justice across South Australia. The organisation relies on community support, including donations, to continue its vital work in addressing the legal and social needs of women in vulnerable circumstances.