LEGAL COMMUNITY COMES TOGETHER TO SUPPORT AN END TO VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN

November 30,2017
The Women’s Legal Service Victoria and the Colin Biggers & Paisley Foundation are pleased to announce the Inaugural Women’s Legal Breakfast in recognition of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.

One in three Australian women has experienced physical violence since the age of 15.

On average, at least one woman a week is killed by a partner or former partner in Australia.

The Melbourne Legal profession came together to support and raise funds for the vital work of the Women’s Legal Service Victoria. Each year the Women’s Legal Service Victoria assists more than 3,500 women with expert legal advice representation, education and capacity building programs. This work means that disadvantaged women can live free from violence and make informed choices about their relationships.
Coming together, the legal community raised over $10,000 for the Women’s Legal Service Victoria.

Major sponsors for the event were The Colin Biggers & Paisley Foundation, Norton Rose Fulbright and Monash University Law, with supporter sponsors King & Wood Mallesons and Hall & Willcox. A number of other firms have also shown their support including, Baker McKenzie, Corrs Chambers Westgarth, DLA Piper, Herbert Smith Freehills and Russell Kennedy Lawyers.

Joanna Fletcher, CEO of Women’s Legal Service Victoria said the money raised will help assist them to continue to expand their work representing women who have survived family violence.

“The breakfast will also bring together our friends and colleagues in the legal profession who are keen to engage with and contribute to the task of ending violence against women. A task that we know requires the whole of the community.”

Colin Biggers & Paisley Managing Partner, Nick Crennan said he is proud to support Women’s Legal Service, survivors of family violence and advocate for societal change. “Violence against women is widespread in the Australian  As a legal practice we want to play a role in ending violence against women and in promoting and achieving gender equality.”

The Honourable Marcia Neave AO, Commission of the Royal Commission into Family Violence and Adjunct Professor, Monash Law and Fiona McCormack, CEO of Domestic Violence Victoria gave keynote addresses.

For more information, please contact Linda Branton on 02 8281 4594