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Specialist Showcasing. Wirringa Baiya ABORIGINAL WOMEN’S LEGAL CENTRE Inc. 2010 Presented by: Madeleine Heath & Josie Smith. Wirringa Baiya Aboriginal Women’s Legal Centre. Wirringa Baiya. Wirringa Baiya – (meaning and language groups) Wirringa – Women Central inland New South Wales
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Wirringa Baiya ABORIGINAL WOMEN’S LEGAL CENTRE Inc. 2010 Presented by: Madeleine Heath & Josie Smith
Wirringa Baiya • Wirringa Baiya – (meaning and language groups) • Wirringa – Women Central inland New South Wales • Baiya – Speak The Sydney language groups which includes the Eora, Dharug and Darrkinyung comes from the North-West of New South Wales
Wirringa Baiya • Wirringa Baiya is a community legal centre for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, children and youth • Wirringa Baiya is funded by the NSW Attorney General’s Department. • Wirringa Baiya is a state-wide community legal service (NSW) • Wirringa Baiya is managed by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women • Wirringa Baiya provides a free call 1800 telephone information and advice line 5 days a week
Wirringa Baiya - staffing profile • Coordinator (Aboriginal) - 35hrs/pw • Principal Solicitor - 35hrs/pw • 2 Part time Solicitors @21hrs/pw • Community Legal Educator (Aboriginal) - 21hrs/pw • Administration Officer (Aboriginal) - 35hrs/pw
History & Purpose • Wirringa Baiya was founded in 1997in response to an identified need to provide Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women with legal information and advice particularly in relation to issues regarding violence
Statistics The NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research 2003 shows that Aboriginal women are: • 4 times more likely to be a victim of murder • 5 times more likely to be a victim of domestic violence The offender was Aboriginal in 85% of domestic violence assaults • Aboriginal women are more than 3 times more likely to be a victim of sexual assault
Statistics cont; • A study of the Aboriginal female inmates in NSW prisons showed that 78% of the group were victims of violence as adults • 70% were victims of child sexual assault • 44% were victims of adult sexual assault (Aboriginal Justice Advisory Council, ”Speak Out, Speak Strong” 2002)
Wirringa Baiya Wirringa Baiya strives to participate equally in the 3 areas of legal work • Legal casework (advice and information) • Law reform • Community legal education
Legal Advice providedGeneral advice (no casework) • Family Law • Credit & Debt • Medical negligence • Child Support • Personal Injury & accidents • Complaints against doctors & nurses • Neighbourhood disputes • Guardianship Tribunal matters
Legal advice and caseworkGeneral advice only • Family Law • Care and Protection • Credit and Debt • Personal injury and accidents • Medical negligence • Wills and Estates • Complaints against doctors and nurses • Guardianship Tribunal matters • Neighbourhood disputes • Employment and unfair dismissals • Legal Aid (i.e. how to get it)
Legal advice and casework • Domestic violence (Apprehended Violence Orders and victims compensation claims) • Victims compensation • Sexual harassment • Abuse of process in relation to young people (e.g. complaints against juvenile detention centres • Discrimination • Sexual assault and child sexual assault (victims compensation claims) • Freedom of information applications • Complaints against the police, correctional services and Community Services NSW
No advice • Buying a house • Native Title • Anything in relation to a business or company • Workers Compensation • Women calling on behalf of adult male relatives or friends in relation to a legal problem
Fact Sheets • Me & Security Guards • Bullying • Domestic Violence & AVO’s • Me & the Gunjies • Going to Court • Need a Lawyer? • Discrimination & Sexual Assault • Victim’s Compensation • Depression & Self Harm • Homelessness • Drink Safe • Do You Need Legal Help? • Don’t Be Shame - Let’s Yarn!
Projects • Aboriginal Women’s Corroboree • Sexual Assault Campaign - ‘Sexual Abuse is not our Lore’ • ‘Black Out Violence’ Campaign • ‘Drink Safe’ project • Little Black Book for strong black women
DRINK SAFE Watch your drink for spiking !
Aboriginal Women’s Corroboree 2002 Marrickville, 2004 La Perouse, 2005 Redfern, 2006 Redfern & 2008 Central Coast
Little Black Book for strong black women 2009/2010
Yabun Concert - Survival Day January 26th 2006