Women's Legal Service Queensland

15/10/2026

Please note: The WLSQ Statewide Helpline is closed Friday, October 16. We will reopen on Monday, October 19, at 9:00am.

📚Please find free fact sheets and resources on our website: https://wlsq.org.au/

If you or someone you know needs help now, support is available:

🚨 In immediate danger? Call 000
📞 1800RESPECT (24/7): 1800 737 732
🧡 DVConnect Womensline (24/7): 1800 811 811
🌿 Sexual Assault Helpline (7:30 AM–11:30 PM, 7 days): 1800 010 120
🧒 Kids Helpline (24/7): 1800 551 800
💛 Lifeline (24/7): 13 11 14
🌼 WWILD (Mon–Fri 9 AM–4:30 PM): (07) 3262 9877
🌈 Rainbow Sexual, Domestic and Family Violence Helpline (24/7): 1800 497 212
🖤 13YARN (24/7): 13 92 76 (for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples)

14/10/2026

October 15 is the International Day of Rural Women.

Today we celebrate the contribution of women and girls living in rural communities.

For women experiencing domestic and family violence, distance and limited local services can make accessing support and legal help even harder.

That’s why WLSQ’s Rural, Regional and Remote (RRR) program brings free legal assistance and education directly to communities across Queensland.

We'd also like to thank a major donor and Clayton Utz, for supporting our essential RRR outreach program via the Clayton Utz Foundation.

Women in rural, regional and remote Queensland can access free DFV legal help via our priority line: 1800 457 117, Monday–Friday, 9am–4:30pm.

13/10/2026

Volunteer with us ⭐📣

We're calling for superstar volunteers to help us sell 50-50 raffle tickets, raising vital funds for our free legal and support services.

When? Saturday 31 October from 11:00am to 4:00pm.
Where? Doomben Racecourse

Join us for a super fun Saturday in support of Women's Legal Service Queensland.

Register to volunteer:https://events.humanitix.com/volunteers-2026-derby-50-50-raffle

12/10/2026

What does a healthy relationship look and feel like?

Healthy relationships are built on feeling safe to express your thoughts, share your feelings and set boundaries without fear of judgement.

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, but feeling safe to be yourself is a good place to start.

Of course, it’s ok to have different opinions.

You should feel safe saying “no,” secure in expressing your emotions, and valued as an equal.

ℹ️Learn how to recognise the signs of a healthy or harmful relationship: https://www.esafety.gov.au/young-people/when-is-love-bombing-coercive-control
ℹ️Access free resources via our WLSQ website: https://wlsq.org.au/resources/?cats=coercive-control&type=&pg=1

Save this post for later or share it with someone who may find it helpful.

If you or someone you know needs help now, support is available:
🚨 In immediate danger? Call 000
📞 1800RESPECT (24/7): 1800 737 732
🧡 DVConnect Womensline (24/7): 1800 811 811
🌿 Sexual Assault Helpline (7:30 AM–11:30 PM, 7 days): 1800 010 120
🧒 Kids Helpline (24/7): 1800 551 800
💛 Lifeline (24/7): 13 11 14
🌼 WWILD (Mon–Fri 9 AM–4:30 PM): (07) 3262 9877
🌈 Rainbow Sexual, Domestic and Family Violence Helpline (24/7): 1800 497 212
🖤 13YARN (24/7): 13 92 76 (for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples)

11/10/2026

For many women, navigating the legal system as a victim during the sentencing phase can feel like a complete black box.

That’s why the Office of the Victims' Commissioner QLD launched the Sentencing Pathway tool.

It’s a free, interactive online resource designed to break down the court process into plain, simple English.

About the tool:
✅Click through the stages of a sentencing hearing when you feel ready.
✅Clear explanations of what judges consider and what different penalties actually mean.
✅ Features a quick-exit button if you need to close the page fast.

Explore the sentencing information that's relevant to you, when you're ready.

Take a look at the Sentencing Pathway: https://www.victimscommissioner.qld.gov.au/pathways/sentencing

If you or someone you know needs support:

🚨In immediate danger? Call 000
📱DVConnect (24/7): 1800 811 811
📱1800RESPECT (24/7): 1800 737 732
📱13YARN (24/7): 13 92 76 (for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples)
⚖️Free DFV legal help – WLSQ’s Statewide Helpline: 1800 957 957 (Mon–Fri 9 AM–4:30 PM)

10/10/2026

October 11 is International Day of the Girl Child

Adolescence is a critical time. The support, opportunities and rights girls have during these years can shape their health, education, safety and economic security for decades to come.

Yet millions of girls still face discrimination, violence, child marriage and barriers to education simply because they are girls.

🟣Nearly 1 in 4 married or partnered adolescent girls aged 15-19 have experienced intimate partner violence in their lifetimes.

🟣In 2026, UNICEF is calling for urgent action to end child marriage and invest in girls’ rights.

🟣Globally, around 1 in 5 girls are married before the age of 18.

Every girl has the right to grow up free from violence, discrimination and abuse - and to have a say in the decisions that affect her life.

Protecting those rights requires systems that recognise the particular risks girls face, respond to violence effectively, and ensure girls can access safety, support and justice.

When we invest in girls’ safety, we invest in a safer future for everyone.

Learn more here: https://www.un.org/en/observances/girl-child-day



If you or someone you know needs legal help with domestic or family violence, support is available:

🚨In immediate danger? Call 000
📱DVConnect (24/7): 1800 811 811
📱1800RESPECT (24/7): 1800 737 732
⚖️Free DFV legal help – WLSQ: 1800 957 957 (Mon–Fri 9 AM–4:30 PM)

09/10/2026

October 10 is World Mental Health Day.

Mental Health Australia, the national peak body for the mental health sector, coordinates the national Mental Health Month campaign. This year’s theme is Together We Thrive.

More than 1 billion people worldwide are living with a mental health condition.

Today (and every day) is a chance to listen to people with lived experience, challenge stigma and recognise that everyone deserves access to support and care.

For women experiencing domestic and family violence, the impacts can be long-lasting. Violence can affect mental and physical health, safety, financial security and connection to others - often continuing long after the violence itself has stopped.

This World Mental Health Day, let’s keep talking about mental health, reduce stigma and make sure people experiencing violence can access the support and safety they need.

Find out more here: https://www.mentalhealthaustralia.org.au/get-involved/world-mental-health-day-2026/

If you or someone you know needs legal help with domestic or family violence, support is available:

🚨In immediate danger? Call 000
📱DVConnect (24/7): 1800 811 811
📱1800RESPECT (24/7): 1800 737 732
⚖️Free DFV legal help – WLSQ: 1800 957 957 (Mon–Fri 9 AM–4:30 PM)

08/10/2026

October is Sexual Violence Awareness Month in Queensland.

Sexual violence can happen to anybody, regardless of age, gender, race, culture, socioeconomic status, ability, sexual orientation or where they live.

But we know women, children and young people experience sexual violence at particularly high rates.

Sexual Violence Awareness Month is an opportunity to raise awareness, start conversations and make sure people affected by sexual violence know where they can turn for support.

Held across Queensland in October, the month aims to:

➡️Raise community awareness about sexual violence

➡️Promote the support options available to people affected by sexual assault and sexual abuse

➡️Uphold a clear message that sexual violence will not be tolerated in our communities.

ℹ️Find an event near you and engage in open and honest conversations about sexual violence: https://www.families.qld.gov.au/our-work/domestic-family-sexual-violence/calendar

WLSQ provides free legal support to women when attempts are made to access their private counselling notes during sexual assault court proceedings through our Counselling Notes Protect (CNP) Program and in partnership with Legal Aid Queensland.

Protecting victim-survivors' privacy and ensuring they understand and can exercise their rights is an important part of a trauma-informed justice system.

This Sexual Violence Awareness Month, let's keep the conversation going - and keep working towards a justice system where victim-survivors are heard, supported and treated with dignity.

⚠️For assistance:

➡️Reporting a sexual assault: https://www.police.qld.gov.au/policelink-reporting/sexual-assault-launch
➡️SVA Information: https://www.qld.gov.au/community/getting-support-health-social-issue/support-victims-abuse/sexual-abuse-assault/sexual-violence-awareness-month?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_content=ap_ty8fnvrnfp
➡️Women's Legal Service Queensland Counselling Notes Protect: https://wlsq.org.au/provider/counselling-notes-protect-sexual-assault

📱Sexual Assault Helpline: 1800 010 120
📱For legal assistance, please call our Helpline on 1800 957 957 between 9.00am and 4.30pm.

08/10/2026

Don't miss your opportunity to attend the 13th Annual Legal Profession Breakfast, featuring special guest speaker and internationally bestselling author Trent Dalton.

Join us for an inspiring morning of storytelling, reflection and fundraising in support of Women's Legal Service Queensland.

Final tickets are now on sale! Don't miss out. Book your tickets today: https://qlsevents.eventsair.com/lpb-2026/rp/Site/Register

Join Trent Dalton, international bestselling author of Boy Swallows Universe, at the 13th Annual Legal Profession Breakfast.

Hosted by 9News Queensland presenter Melissa Downes, this inspiring event brings together the legal profession for a morning of powerful storytelling, reflection and fundraising, alongside the presentation of the prestigious 2026 Dame Quentin Bryce AD CVO Domestic Violence Prevention Advocate of the Year Award.

Proceeds will support the work of Women's Legal Service Queensland, helping to create safer futures for women and children impacted by domestic and family violence.

➡️ This event sells out every year, so make sure to secure your seat today: https://qlsevents.eventsair.com/lpb-2026/rp/Site/Register

With thanks to this year's Principal Sponsor Gadens, Platinum Sponsor McCullough Robertson, and Major Sponsors.

08/10/2026