Tens of thousands of women fleeing family violence are unable to access legal assistance, forcing them to self-represent, take on massive debts, accept unfair legal settlements, or remain in abusive relationships. Many abusers exploit the family law system to continue harassment, delaying proceedings and increasing legal costs.
Legal aid is drastically underfunded, with strict eligibility criteria excluding many. In 2023, 52,000 women were turned away from community legal centres due to limited resources. The government’s recent budget increase is widely seen as insufficient.
Wallumatta Legal, a not-for-profit firm, aims to fill this gap by offering low-cost legal services to the “missing middle”—those who don’t qualify for legal aid but cannot afford private lawyers. Legal Director Vivian Galanis estimates 85% of Australians fall into this category, with many facing six-figure legal bills if they pursue a final court hearing.