Women's Legal Service Queensland

03/09/2026

Mark Your Calendars!

Our Rural Regional and Remote (RRR) Outreach Program team is returning to Kingaroy and Gympie in mid-September!

➡️ Kingaroy from 14 to 16 September 2026.
➡️ Gympie from 16th to 18th September 2026.

Over the week, we will be facilitating free legal advice clinics and workshops for community service providers.

ATTEND OUR KINGAROY LEGAL EDUCATION WORKSHOP FOR SERVICE PROVIDERS
➡️ Topic: When Parents Separate: Understanding Parenting Agreements and Family Law
📅 Date: Tuesday 15th September 2026
🕐 Time: 9:30am - 12pm
Register now: https://events.humanitix.com/when-parents-separate-understanding-parenting-agreements-and-family-law-kingaroy

KINGAROY LEGAL ADVICE APPOINTMENTS (Sep 14th & 15th)
FREE CONFIDENTIAL LEGAL APPOINTMENTS AVAILABLE
📅 Monday 14: 1pm – 5pm
📅 Tuesday 15: 1pm – 5pm
🖱️ Book now: Call our Rural Regional Remote Priority Line: 1800 457 117 - 9:00am to 4:30pm, Monday to Friday
Make a Referral: https://wlsq.org.au/information-for-referrers-and-providers/?mc_cid=638ffafcf7&mc_eid=036446c56c

ATTEND OUR GYMPIE LEGAL EDUCATION WORKSHOP FOR SERVICE PROVIDERS
➡️ Topic: When Parents Separate: Understanding Parenting Agreements and Family Law
📅 Date: Thursday 17th September 2026
🕐 Time: 9:30am - 12pm
Register now: https://events.humanitix.com/when-parents-separate-understanding-parenting-agreements-and-family-law-gympie
GYMPIE LEGAL ADVICE APPOINTMENTS (Sep 16th, 17th & 18th)
FREE CONFIDENTIAL LEGAL APPOINTMENTS AVAILABLE IN GYMPIE
📅 Wednesday 16: 11am-5pm
📅 Thursday 17: 1pm-5pm
📅 Friday 18: 9-12pm
🖱️ Book now: Call our Rural Regional Remote Priority Line: 1800 457 117 - 9:00am to 4:30pm, Monday to Friday
Make a Referral: https://wlsq.org.au/information-for-referrers-and-providers/?mc_cid=638ffafcf7&mc_eid=036446c56c

Please share this with any family, colleagues, friends or neighbours.

01/09/2026

“It wasn’t one big incident - it was a thousand small ones.” That’s how coercive control can begin.

A Mamamia article shares Jenny’s* experience of meeting a man online who initially seemed attentive and caring. Over time, that attention became control: tracking her car, checking her phone, controlling who she saw and demanding she share her location.

Jenny eventually left after her partner’s behaviour also put her son at risk. Both experienced symptoms consistent with post-traumatic stress disorder.

The numbers are concerning: Australian Institute of Criminology research found almost three-quarters of dating app users surveyed had experienced at least one form of dating-app-facilitated sexual violence.

Domestic and family violence isn’t always obvious.

Coercive control can build slowly, restricting a person’s freedom, relationships and sense of safety….often before they have the words to describe what’s happening.

🔎 Want to learn more about coercive control in Queensland and your legal rights? Read our fact sheet, co-produced with Gold Coast Community Legal Centre: https://www.mamamia.com.au/domestic-violence-dating-apps/

Read the full story: https://www.mamamia.com.au/domestic-violence-dating-apps/

Help is available:
🚨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)

01/09/2026

A gentle reminder to be kind to yourself.

Thanks to Women's Mental Health Australia for sharing this important message.

When we're going through challenging times, the way we speak to ourselves matters. 🫶

A little kindness, patience and compassion can make a big difference to your mental health.

Don't forget to save this post in case you need another reminder in future. 🥰

31/08/2026

Sport shapes culture. What is it teaching us?

As police investigate sexual assault allegations involving some of the Sydney Swans’ best-known players, questions are once again being raised about culture in sport.

“As a sports-loving nation, what sporting organisations do really does influence how people behave and act.”

@ Our Watch CEO Patty Kinnersly spoke to ABC News 7.30 about the powerful role sport can play in shaping attitudes and behaviour.

Watch the ABC 7.30 interview here: https://www.facebook.com/reel/1371325705204373/

Preventing violence against women is everyone’s responsibility. We all have a role to play in changing the culture that enables it.

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)

29/08/2026

We are excited to offer a series of free webinars for service providers this September, covering important topics in Domestic and Family Violence Protection Act and DVOs.

Join us to learn from our experienced team and gain practical and important insights.

Upcoming WLSQ Webinars:
➡️ Thursday, 10 September at 12pm AEST – Child Protection Week Child Protection Week https://events.humanitix.com/child-protection-week-webinar
➡️ Wednesday, 16 September at 12pm AEST – Protection Ordershttps://events.humanitix.com/protection-orders-webinar
➡️ Wednesday, 30 September at 12pm AEST – Police Protection Directionshttps://events.humanitix.com/police-protection-directions-webinar-fajcxg3p
All webinars are free and designed for service providers supporting women and children impacted by domestic and family violence.

Register and learn more here: https://wlsq.org.au/resources/webinars/

28/08/2026

💰 45% of Australian adults lack basic financial literacy. Why does that matter?

Around 8.5 million Australian adults may not have the basic financial knowledge to confidently make decisions about saving, borrowing and managing financial risk.

📊 This figure comes from an analysis of the 2016 Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) Survey, which found that 45% of Australian adults lack basic financial literacy.

Financial literacy isn’t about being a money expert. It’s about understanding how everyday financial decisions affect your life - and knowing your options.

For women experiencing domestic and family violence, financial knowledge can be especially important.

Financial abuse can include:
🔒 controlling access to bank accounts or money
💳 creating debt in someone else’s name
💰 withholding money or preventing someone from working
📱 monitoring financial transactions
🚫 preventing someone from accessing their own financial information.

Understanding your finances can be an important part of safety, independence and rebuilding your financial future.

💡 Did you know there are free financial counsellors available?

Financial counsellors provide free, confidential and independent support with things like debt, budgeting, bills, hardship arrangements and understanding your financial options.

They can also support people experiencing financial abuse to work towards greater financial independence.

👉 Find out more about financial counselling and financial abuse on our website:
https://wlsq.org.au/resource/financial-counselling
https://wlsq.org.au/resource/financial-abuse/

👉 Need to find a financial counsellor?
The National Debt Helpline can help you find a free financial counsellor in your area: https://ndh.org.au/financial-counselling/find-a-financial-counsellor/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
📖 Read more: https://www.unsw.edu.au/newsroom/news/2026/08/45-per-cent-of-adult-australians-are-financially-illiterate

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)

28/08/2026

🎉 $152,000+ RAISED! 🎉

Now THAT is something worth celebrating at the top! 🙌

Our River to Rooftop community set out with a goal to raise $111,000 for Women’s Legal Service Qld and together, you absolutely stepped up.

Thanks to the incredible fundraising efforts of our teams, individual climbers, donors, sponsors and supporters, more than $152,000 has been raised to help WLSQ provide free legal and support services to women impacted by domestic violence 💜

THANK YOU! 🏙️

GPT Space&Co EVA Airways Corp. 長榮航空 Bishopp Clayton Utz CLUB kt Shokz AU/NZ Formula Australia

28/08/2026

🏃‍♀️ Take on the 2026 Bridge to Brisbane for Women’s Legal Service Qld! 💜

This year, make every step count by joining Bridge to Brisbane and fundraising in support of WLSQ.

Whether you’re running, jogging, or walking your way to the finish line, the funds you raise will help Women’s Legal Service Qld provide free legal and support services to women and children impacted by domestic and family violence across Queensland.

📅 Sunday 13 September 2026
📍 Brisbane
🏃 Choose the 5km or 10km course

Ready to step up for women and children across Queensland?

Register and fundraise for Women’s Legal Service Qld here: https://bridgetobrisbane26.grassrootz.com/womens-legal-service-queensland

27/08/2026

💜 Wear It Purple Day 2026: Celebrating visibility, inclusion and belonging 💜

Today, we’re proud to stand with LGBTIQA+ young people and show that they are seen, valued and supported - not just today, but every day.

Wear It Purple Day is a reminder that every young person has the right to feel safe, respected and empowered to be their authentic self. By wearing purple, we send a message of support and allyship to rainbow young people, helping create communities where everyone can belong.

This year’s Colours of Courage theme reminds us that courage isn’t only found in big moments - it’s also found in everyday acts of authenticity, allyship, acceptance and inclusion.

At Women’s Legal Service Queensland, we’re committed to creating spaces where everyone feels respected, included and empowered to be who they are.

💜 Learn more about Wear It Purple Day and how you can get involved: https://www.wearitpurple.org/wear-it-purple-day-2026

Need help?
🚨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)

27/08/2026

“It took a village for me to escape and survive.”

Dr Cik Yin Lee’s story is a reminder that DFV can happen to anyone - including women who may appear to be thriving professionally and personally.

As an immigrant in Australia, she had no family nearby when she found herself experiencing emotional, physical and financial abuse. What helped her escape wasn’t one person or one service….it was an entire community.

Friends, colleagues, neighbours, her employer, police, legal and social services, a bank and even her real estate agent all played a part.

“I had no language for them and no map out.”

Learning to recognise and name domestic and family violence was an important first step. From there, support from others helped her understand her options and rebuild her life.

What can we learn from her experience?
➡️ Know that DFV is more than physical violence. Emotional, financial and other forms of control can be part of abuse.
➡️ Listen and believe. You don’t need to have all the answers. Sometimes being there, listening without judgement and helping someone find support can make an enormous difference.
➡️ Know what support is available. Workplaces may offer EAP counselling, DFV leave, specialist programs and peer support. Legal and specialist DFV services can also help people understand their options.
➡️ You don’t have to navigate it alone. Building a network of trusted people and professionals can help someone move towards safety and stability.

For people experiencing DFV, reaching out feels incredibly difficult. Particularly when you’re isolated, new to Australia or unsure whether what you’re experiencing is abuse.

Support is available.

WLSQ's specialist Migration Team provides free, confidential legal advice to women on temporary visas experiencing domestic and family violence.

We also offer free translated resources to help migrant communities understand their rights and where to get help: https://wlsq.org.au/resources/?cats=translated-resources&type=&pg=1

Learn more about how WLSQ may be able to support you or someone you know: https://wlsq.org.au/provider/temporary-visa-holders-experiencing-violence-pilot-project/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_content=ap_mivnazbun2

Read Dr Cik Yin’s full story here: https://pursuit.unimelb.edu.au/articles/i-had-no-family-in-australia.-a-village-helped-me-escape-domestic-violence
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)