Help for youth facing the law

FAMILY violence support for Dandenong received a much-needed $30,000 boost from Victoria Legal Aid (VLA).
Springvale Monash Legal Service will use the funds to provide legal help for children and young people with family violence problems.
VLA civil justice access and equity director Kristen Hilton said there was a pressing need for family violence help in the south-eastern suburbs.
“Family violence has risen by 40 per cent in Victoria in the past year, and Dandenong Magistrates’ Court has the highest number of family violence related matters listed of any court in Victoria,” she said.
“Getting legal help to stay safe is vital to prevent the long-term damage and terrible impact that family violence can have on children and young people.
“It so often brings with it other serious consequences such as homelessness and substance abuse.’
Springvale Monash Legal Service director Helen Yandell said the funding would meet the need for children and young people to receive advice and representation at court.
“They will now also be able to be linked to other family support services such as counselling or refuges to get early help before these problems become even more entrenched,” she said.