Identified staff positions in criminal justice and legal agencies

The ACT Government funds Legal Aid Commission ACT to deliver culturally responsive legal services to address family, domestic and sexual violence amongst Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. This includes outreach and engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and community service partners, led by an Aboriginal Liaison Officer. The Aboriginal Liaison Officer promotes Legal Aid ACT services aimed to facilitate culturally safe access to legal and non-legal assistance in response to family, domestic and sexual violence.

The ACT Government funds the Women's Legal Centre to provide the Mulleun Mura Access to Justice program which provides legal support and assistance to First Nations women experiencing family and domestic violence.The ACT Government funded Women’s Legal Centre ACT to recruit a First Nations law student as a part-time paralegal to the Women’s Legal Centre’s Mulleun Mura Access to Justice Program. The project will provide experience to a future lawyer and develop a model for a pipeline for First Nations women into the legal assistance sector. The Aboriginal Legal Service is also funded to provide family and domestic violence support to First Nations women through additional staffing.

The Restorative Justice Unit employs a First Nations Guidance Partner (Identified position) who acts as an initial point of contact for First Nations clients, recognising the barriers to engagement for First Nations peoples with government services, in particular those involved in the criminal justice system. The support is offered to all persons harmed, persons responsible and their supporters who self-identify as First Nations throughout the restorative process. The First Nations Guidance Partner also provides culturally relevant information and guidance for Convenors and the participant(s) to support the delivery of culturally respectful and appropriate processes.