Street Law is a free outreach legal service for the homeless and those at risk of homelessness in Western Australia.
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🌟 Billy's Journey 🌟![]()
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Billy faced incredible challenges from a young age, including family violence and homelessness. Despite these hardships, she was determined to turn her life around.![]()
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When Billy was faced with an overwhelming $12,000 recovery order from the Office of Criminal Injuries Compensation, her progress was at risk. Through our advocacy and legal expertise, we helped Billy secure a positive outcome, lifting the burden of additional debt and allowing her to continue rebuilding her life.![]()
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Discover how Billy overcame these hurdles and our role in her journey, read the full story on page 9 of our latest newsletter👉 streetlawcentre.org.au/street-news-inside-street-law-june-2024/
Last week, we shared David Ambrosius’s story – a man who requested an immediate jail term to avoid returning to homelessness. This week, a 34-year-old woman in Kalgoorlie has echoed his plea, asking the Magistrate not to release her due to her lack of stable housing. She insisted to the court that she would reoffend immediately if she was let out of custody, as it was the only way she could secure a roof over her head. ![]()
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This disturbing trend reveals a stark reality; people are increasingly choosing jail to avoid experiencing homelessness. This reflects a severe and urgent need for better support systems and housing solutions. The housing and homelessness crisis needs to be addressed to ensure that no one is forced to choose between freedom and basic survival.![]()
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🔗www.thewest.com.au/news/regional/kalgoorlie-boulder-womans-desperate-attempt-to-be-jailed-to-avoid-homelessness-fails-when-she-is-fined-c-15835619
🌟 A Huge Thank You to Kiara! 🌟![]()
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Over the past 6 months, Kiara has been an incredible asset to our team, generously seconded from @MinterEllison every Tuesday. Kiara attended our fortnightly legal clinic at St. Patrick's Community Support Centre in Fremantle with our Principal Solicitor, Ann-Margaret. Kiara has provided crucial assistance across a diverse array of client matters, significantly contributing to our efforts. ![]()
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Here’s what Kiara had to say about her experience with us: 👉 “I found the secondment to be very enjoyable, I was welcomed into such a supportive team who I could rely on for assistance with any questions. Attending the outreach clinics was very insightful as I was able to observe the supervising solicitor’s work with people from various backgrounds and demographic to see how they were able to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives. I was also exposed to a variety of matters with none being the same, which was a great learning opportunity. The ability to follow matters start to finish was also rewarding as it educated me to better understand the impact that these legal issues cause to those who are less fortunate and who are not able to access legal services as readily. I felt that Street Law makes a meaningful contribution to society. The staff working at Street Law are very educated and trauma informed and are able to manage matters and client’s very effectively.”![]()
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Thank you, Kiara, for your hard work and dedication! And a big shoutout to Minter Ellison for your ongoing support and commitment to Street Law Centre. 🙌💙
🚨 Know Your Rights: What to Do When Police Request Your Details 🚨![]()
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If a police officer asks for your full name, date of birth, and address, it's important to know your responsibilities. Police can request this information if they reasonably suspect you're involved in an offence or can help with an investigation.![]()
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🔹 Key Points to Remember:![]()
•You Must Provide: If asked, you must give your real details—refusing or providing false information can lead to being arrested and charged.![]()
•Proof Required: If the officer suspects your details are false, they can ask for evidence, like your ID.![]()
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🔍 Common Misunderstandings: Many people think they don’t have to provide details, but it's crucial to comply with lawful requests to avoid unnecessary legal trouble.![]()
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🛡️ Tip: Even if you're unsure about the request, it's best to provide your details to avoid complications.![]()
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Stay informed and protect yourself by understanding your rights and responsibilities when interacting with the police.
The dire consequences of chronic underfunding for community legal centres are felt across our communities, leading to severe and widespread impacts.![]()
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The costs to our communities of the chronic underfunding of community legal centres include:![]()
⏹ More people in prisons and hospitals![]()
⏹ Women and children stuck in dangerous situations for longer![]()
⏹ People losing their homes and experiencing homelessness![]()
⏹ Households and individuals overwhelmed by debt and financial problems![]()
⏹ Families stuck in conflict over custody, child support and family law issues![]()
⏹ Asylum seekers facing exploitation due to their visa status. ![]()
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Save Community Legal Centres: End the Funding Crisis campaign calls on governments to step up and provide their funding to community legal centres:![]()
⏹ $35 million this year to address the workforce crisis![]()
⏹ At least $270 million per year for community legal centres from 1 July 2025, committed by December 2024![]()
⏹ $95 million for frontline domestic and family violence work![]()
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Help us amplify this call to end the funding crisis and save community legal centres by supporting and sharing the campaign. ![]()
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#savecommunitylegalcentres #CommunityLaw #fundwacommunitylaw #fundfrontlineservices
