Our message to you

 Gippsland Community Legal Service is still operating. There have been some changes to our service. These changes have been introduced to keep people as safe as possible during the COVID-19 situation. This includes minimising unnecessary travel to our office or to the Courts.

Our duty lawyer family violence service is still operating

 If you require our duty lawyer family violence service, you may have the option of calling the Court on the day of your hearing to do so. This may be an option for you, instead of attending in person and putting your name on our list.

1. Not attending: If you are considering not attending Court due to COVID-19, please call the Court to check your attendance requirements. If you are eligible to not appear on the day of your hearing, then the Court will let us know that.
2. Court will take your details for assistance: If you are not required to attend, the Court will take your details to pass on to us.
3. Court will contact us: The Court will let us know if you require our service.
4. Our communication with you: We will call you if we can assist you that day, and to take your instructions before your hearing.
5. After your matter: We will contact you after your hearing to let you know the outcome.

Still unsure? If you are unsure of what to do, or whether you need to attend Court in-person, please call the Court to check.

 Court phone numbers

• Latrobe Valley Magistrates Court: (03) 5116 5222
• Sale Magistrates Court: (03) 5144 2888
• Korumburra Magistrates Court: (03) 5658 0200
• Bairnsdale Magistrates Court: (03) 5152 9222
• Wonthaggi Magistrates Court: (03) 5672 1071

 Legal advice

Please contact us if you require legal advice.  Our intake worker will assess your enquiry and ensure you receive legal information, legal referral or a legal advice appointment (by telephone). 

You can contact us by calling 1800 004 402 (freecall) or (03) 5135 9550.  IMPORTANT: This is a call back service, please leave a voice message and our intake worker will contact you. 

Alternately you could email our intake on gcls@anglicarevic.org.au and provide you name, contact number, any other parties names and a description of your legal issue or question.

If you are feeling unsafe

Please call the Police on 000 if you are fearing for your safety or for those around you. The Police can assist you with your immediate safety.

Helpful services for family violence and mental health

 https://www.whiteribbon.org.au/find-help/domestic-violence-hotlines/

 Please access the link above for the contact details and websites for:

• 1800 RESPECT - 24 hour national sexual assault, family and domestic violence counselling line for any Australian who has experienced, or is at risk of, family and domestic violence and/or sexual assault. Call 1800 737 732
• Lifeline - Lifeline has a national number who can help put you in contact with a crisis service in your State.
  Anyone across Australia experiencing a personal crisis or thinking about suicide. Call 13 11 14.
• Men's Referral Service - This service from No to Violence offers assistance, information and counselling to help men who use family violence. 
    if you would like help with male behavioural and relationship concerns call 1300 766 491
• Mensline Australia - Supports men and boys who are dealing with family and relationship difficulties. 24/7 telephone and online support an information service for Australian men. Call 1300 789 978
• Kids Help Line - Free, private and confidential, telephone and online counselling service specifically for young people aged between 5 and 25 in Australia. Call 1800 551 800
• Relationships Australia - Support groups and counselling on relationships, and for abusive and abused partners.
  To be connected to the nearest Relationships Australia, call 1300 364 277
• Aboriginal Family Domestic Violence Hotline - Victims Services has a dedicated contact line for Aboriginal victims of crime who would like information on victims rights, how to access counselling and financial assistance. Call 1800 019 123
• Translating & Interpreting Service - Gain free access to a telephone or on-site interpreter in your own language. Immediate phone interpreting is available 24 hours, every day of the year, on 131 450
• Suicide Call Back Service - Free counselling 24/7, whether you’re feeling suicidal, are worried about someone else, or have lost someone to suicide.
  Call 1300 659 467
• Australian Childhood Foundation - Counselling for children and young people affected by abuse.  For information, email them at info@childhood.org.au.
  For counselling services, call toll-free number 8100 176 453
• Blue Knot Foundation - Telephone counselling for adult survivors of childhood trauma, their friends, family and the health care professionals who support them. Call 1300 657 380 between 9am-5pm for counselling services or email at helpline@blueknot.org.au.