Domestic Violence Legal Service

The Domestic Violence Legal Service is a specialist legal service for women experiencing domestic and family violence in New South Wales. Its main objective is to inform women who have experienced violence about their legal rights and to help women obtain access to justice.

Domestic Violence Legal Advice Line

(02) 8745 6999 or 1800 810 784.
See the Contact Us page for hours of operation and our other advice line numbers

Originally called the “Domestic Violence Advocacy Service”, it was established in 1986 when the Women’s Legal Resource Centre identified the need for a Community Legal Centre to solely assist women experiencing domestic violence.

The Domestic Violence Legal Service provides a range of free and confidential legal services including:

• Casework, legal advice and advocacy
• Education and training
• Committees and Consultations
• Policy development and law reform
• Publications and resources

Domestic violence resources

These resources have been written or produced by WLS NSW. For resources produced by other organisations, see our Useful Websites page.

Women and Family Law

Women and Family Law is a plain-English booklet covering a range of family law topics such as divorce, children, and property settlement. See Chapter 5: Protection against  violence and harassment for information about domestic and family violence and AVOs. Read more »

Just a piece of paper: Making your AVO work for you

This practical guide is intended to help people who already have an AVO for their protection. Covers topics such as: What is an AVO? How AVOs work? What is a breach? How to report a breach. Role of the police. AVOs and children. Varying or revoking your AVO. AVOs and family law. AVOs and immigration. What to do to stay safe. Download: Just a Piece of Paper 

ReCharge: Technology Safety

ReCharge is a national resource to support women experiencing technology-facilitated domestic violence and those assisting them. It includes Legal Guides for every state and territory and a Tech Safety Hub.
Read more »

Hot Topics 87: Domestic Violence

This issue looks at the prevalence of domestic violence and the legal framework that deals with offenders and victims, which includes AVOs, the court process and other legal issues that relate to DV.
Read online: Hot Topics 87: Domestic Violence

When she talks to you about the violence: A toolkit for GPs in NSW

The GP Toolkit has been developed to assist doctors in identifying and responding to women and children who have experienced or are experiencing domestic violence.
Read more »

Ask LOIS: Resources for Community Workers

Ask LOIS is a secure website providing a free legal online information service for community workers across NSW who are working with women who are experiencing or escaping domestic violence. The resource is particularly targeted at regional and rural workers and aims to provide legal training, information, advice and support.
Read more »

See all publications on the topic of Domestic Violence.