Future Murdoch University law students can gain crucial experience and pursue research at a new Family Violence Unit (FVU) launched at a community legal centre connected to the University.

The FVU was opened by Federal Attorney General The Hon. Christian Porter at the Southern Communities Advocacy Legal and Education Service (SCALES) in Rockingham earlier this week.

The new unit will expand the longstanding family and domestic violence legal practice at SCALES to become a wraparound service for vulnerable women.

Clients will be able to access expanded legal services as well as important non legal services without having to contact multiple services or tell their story repeatedly. 

Thanks to the SCALES clinical programs, Murdoch University undergraduate and postgraduate law students will get the opportunity to work with FVU staff on cases in the future. Further criminology research opportunities may also result from the Unit.

SCALES Managing Director Gai Walker said the FVU would simplify and smooth access to services for women and children who are experiencing or are at risk of family violence.

“Being able to access services without having to research and contact multiple providers will help women already experiencing intense stress and difficulty,” Ms Walker said.

Moulding compassionate lawyers

Anna Copeland, Director of Clinical Legal Programs at Murdoch, said the new unit would be a welcome addition to the community.

“We look forward to our students and staff becoming an important part of the work of FVU,” she said.

“Part of our program at SCALES involves teaching students about professional responsibility and guiding them to reflect on the role of lawyers in society.

“The FVU will expose our students to the many difficulties facing the victims of family violence, and will help to mould them into compassionate, resilient and effective lawyers.”

The unit is one of six new services being established across Australia thanks to funding from the Federal Government.

SCALES and Murdoch staff, students and alumni attended the opening. They were joined by local service providers who work in the field of family and domestic violence including local police, court staff, women’s refuge workers and child protection staff. Local MPs and government mayors and managers also attended.

SCALES was established by Murdoch in partnership with the local community in 1997. Since then more than 1,000 Murdoch students have had the opportunity to work with more than 11,000 clients on their legal issues under the supervision of experienced solicitors and Murdoch School of Law academics.

Image caption: Legal experience: Murdoch staff and students meet Attorney General The Hon. Christian Porter (left to right Anna Copeland, student Daniel Dyer-Smith, Gai Walker, student Josie Wilson and Christian Porter)