South-West Community Sessions for Law Week 2026

MEDIA RELEASE
For immediate release
11 MAY 2026

Celebrating Law Week in the South-West

The Sexual Assault & Family Violence Centre (The SAFV Centre) will be holding three community sessions across the south-west region as part of Victorian Law Week, with a 2026 theme of ‘When Law Meets Life’.

Victorian Law Week will run from 18-24 May, with an aim to help people understand the law and access legal support.

The SAFV Centre’s Emma House Legal Program Principal Solicitor – Civil Law, David Brozinski, will deliver the sessions, which will cover how to know when something becomes a ‘legal’ problem and where to find help when legal issues arise in daily life.

The three community sessions will be held:

• Tues 19 May 3.30pm at Portland library
• Wed 20 May 12.00pm at Hamilton Library
• Fri 22 May 11.30am at Warrnambool Library

Kerriann Campbell-Jones, CEO of The Sexual Assault & Family Violence Centre, was pleased to see Victorian Law Week sessions available and accessible to local communities.

“The SAFV Centre is excited to participate in Victorian Law Week, which seeks to help community members learn how to navigate common legal challenges with confidence.”

“These place-based sessions in Portland, Hamilton and Warrnambool will equip locals with knowledge on how to solve everyday problems that can quickly become legal problems. It will also cover understanding their legal rights and responsibilities and where to find help should they need it.”

““We know the justice system can be very intimidating and confronting, especially for victim-survivors of family and sexual violence. Given this, it is important to us to have our lawyers in the community improving access to justice.”

The SAFV Centre currently offers legal services related to:

• Parenting Agreements, Child Support and Spousal Maintenance Disputes
• Division of Property After Separation
• Family Dispute Resolution Service
• Divorce
• Tenancy
• Airport Watch List Applications
• Recovery Orders
• Fines/Infringements
• Financial Assistance Scheme Applications (formally VOCAT)

If you or someone you know is experiencing family violence, support is available. Please contact The Orange Door on 1800 271 180, The SAFV Centre on 03 5561 1934 or Safe Steps on 1800 015 188.

Alternatively, you can visit www.safvcentre.org.au for more information on services available.

Media Contact

Olivia Nicholls
Strategic Partnerships & Advocacy Advisor, The Sexual Assault & Family Violence Centre
olivia.nicholls@safvcentre.org.au | 0459 419 755