Fight For Your Rights

Strengthening Disability Advocacy Conference March 2012

Hello!

Our names are Jess Richter, Eleanore Fritze, Aimee Cooper and Rob Daly We are lawyers from Victoria Legal Aid.

What are we talking about today?

We will talk about what the law is and what your rights are We will talk about how a lawyer can help you fight for your rights We will try and answer your questions

What areas of law will we talk about?

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Jess will speak about the Police and what happens if you break the law.

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Eleanore will talk about what you can do if someone hurts you or makes you feel unsafe.

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Aimee will talk about what you can do if the law affects your money.

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Rob will speak about fair treatment and discrimination.

What are some of the laws?

Police and crime

What is a crime?

What powers do the Police have?

What are my rights?

Crime

Police interviews

ASK TO SPEAK TO A LAWYER ASK FOR AN INDEPENDENT THIRD PERSON SAY ‘NO COMMENT’

What are my rights?

Crime

Going to court

SPEAK TO A LAWYER

What are some of the laws?

Help and protection for victims

Intervention orders Victims of crime support

What are my rights?

Intervention Orders

Is someone threatening you?

following you?

hurting you?

making you feel unsafe?

This is against the law. YOU CAN GET PROTECTION SPEAK TO A LAWYER

What are my rights?

Victims

How can I report a crime to the Police?

What happens when I report a crime?

CALL THE VICTIMS OF CRIME HELPLINE

What are my rights?

Support & compensation

You can get support to help you after the crime You can apply to a Tribunal for money to help you SPEAK TO A LAWYER

What are some of the laws?

Money matters

Debts Fines Centrelink

What are my rights?

Debts

If you are on Centrelink you may not have to pay back the money. Sometimes you can show that you don ’t owe the money.

If you have a debt you can see a financial counselor for help

What are my rights?

Fines

You can ask to review the decision to give you a fine. You can have your circumstances taken into account.

SPEAK TO A LAWYER

What are my rights?

Centrelink

You can ask Centrelink to make a new decision about your payment.

You can ask a Tribunal to make a decision instead of Centrelink.

SPEAK TO A LAWYER

What are some of the laws?

Discrimination and unfair treatment

It can be illegal to treat people differently on the basis of their disability.

Not all unfair treatment is discrimination, it has to be covered by law.

What are my rights?

You can complain about discrimination.

You may reach an agreement.

Or you may go to a Tribunal or Court.

SPEAK TO A LAWYER

Want to know more?

Now we will break into four small groups so that you can ask us questions.

Which group will you join?

Jess – Police and crime Eleanore – Victims help Aimee – Fines, debt and Centrelink Rob – Discrimination

So now I know about my rights. How do I speak to a lawyer? How can Victoria Legal Aid help me?

About Victoria Legal Aid We have lawyers who can help you Most of our help is free We have 15 offices.

About Victoria Legal Aid We have a free phone line for legal help. You can call this number Monday to Friday 8.45 am to 5.15 pm

9269 0120

What does a lawyer do?

They understand the law Meet with you, talk with you, help you understand and fight for your rights.

What does a lawyer do?

Write letters for you Make phone calls for you Go to court or the tribunal with you.

About Victoria Legal Aid We have free publications

Other people who can help Villamanta Disability Legal Rights Service Ph 5229 2925 Disability Discrimination Legal Service Ph 9654 8644

Other people who can help Federation of Community Legal Centres Ph 9652 1500 Private lawyer LIV referral service Ph 9607 9550

Other people who can help Victims of crime helpline Ph 1800 819 817