Bringing Superpowers Together: Bridging Gaps and Demystifying Legal Support through Community Partnerships
Tracks
Room 3: In-Person Only
| Tuesday, November 26, 2024 |
| 11:30 AM - 11:50 AM |
| Room 3 |
Overview
Kasumi Ejiri & Rosa Grahame, Women's Legal Centre ACT
Speaker
Ms Rosa Grahame
Head Of Integrated Practice And Partnerships
Women's Legal Centre ACT And Region
Bringing Superpowers Together: Bridging Gaps and Demystifying Legal Support through Community Partnerships
11:50 AM - 12:10 PMAbstract
Women facing the decision to leave a violent relationship often find themselves navigating a complex web of practicalities and emotions. Basic human needs such as safety, housing, finances, belonging, and identity are disrupted, and women are thrust into the legal sector, often for the first time, which can be intimidating and daunting.
At the Women’s Legal Centre ACT, we have deeply considered this client experience and transformed our approach to partnering with community and crisis organisations to increase access to our specialised legal services. No single profession or service can address all the needs that arise during this challenging time. By bringing together the service sector, we empower women with legal advice and information on how to keep themselves and their children safe and together.
Our Approach to Embedding Multidisciplinary Legal Services through Community Partnerships are successful by:
1. Mutually Sharing Power and Expertise
• Establishing equal partnerships where both legal professionals and community organisations share their unique expertise.
• Joint Training Programs: Conducting training sessions where legal professionals educate community organization staff on legal processes, while community organizations provide insights into client care.
• Shared Resources: Pooling resources such as funding, space, and technology to increase access for women.
2. Keeping the Woman’s Experience Central
• Trauma Informed Practice : Understanding that women’s previous experiences may impact her and we must always consider safety.
• Client-Centered Approach: Priorotising the woman’s perspective, ensuring that her needs are the focal point of all interventions.
• Holistic Support: Integrating legal support with other essential services such as housing, healthcare, and financial counseling....
3. Using Reflective Practice to Strengthen Partnerships
• Continuous Improvement: Regularly reflecting on partnership practices to identify strengths and challenges to the evolving needs.
• Feedback Mechanisms: Implementing systems for collecting and acting on feedback from women using the services.
Our Approach to Embedding Multidisciplinary Legal Services through Community Partnerships are made successful by:
1. Mutually Sharing Power and Expertise
2. Keeping the Woman’s Experience Central
3. Using Reflective Practice to Strengthen Partnerships
At the Women’s Legal Centre ACT, we have deeply considered this client experience and transformed our approach to partnering with community and crisis organisations to increase access to our specialised legal services. No single profession or service can address all the needs that arise during this challenging time. By bringing together the service sector, we empower women with legal advice and information on how to keep themselves and their children safe and together.
Our Approach to Embedding Multidisciplinary Legal Services through Community Partnerships are successful by:
1. Mutually Sharing Power and Expertise
• Establishing equal partnerships where both legal professionals and community organisations share their unique expertise.
• Joint Training Programs: Conducting training sessions where legal professionals educate community organization staff on legal processes, while community organizations provide insights into client care.
• Shared Resources: Pooling resources such as funding, space, and technology to increase access for women.
2. Keeping the Woman’s Experience Central
• Trauma Informed Practice : Understanding that women’s previous experiences may impact her and we must always consider safety.
• Client-Centered Approach: Priorotising the woman’s perspective, ensuring that her needs are the focal point of all interventions.
• Holistic Support: Integrating legal support with other essential services such as housing, healthcare, and financial counseling....
3. Using Reflective Practice to Strengthen Partnerships
• Continuous Improvement: Regularly reflecting on partnership practices to identify strengths and challenges to the evolving needs.
• Feedback Mechanisms: Implementing systems for collecting and acting on feedback from women using the services.
Our Approach to Embedding Multidisciplinary Legal Services through Community Partnerships are made successful by:
1. Mutually Sharing Power and Expertise
2. Keeping the Woman’s Experience Central
3. Using Reflective Practice to Strengthen Partnerships
Biography
Bio coming soon...
Ms Kasumi Ejiri
Director Of Client Services
Women's Legal Centre ACT
Bringing Superpowers Together: Bridging Gaps and Demystifying Legal Support through Community Partnerships
Abstract
Women facing the decision to leave a violent relationship often find themselves navigating a complex web of practicalities and emotions. Basic human needs such as safety, housing, finances, belonging, and identity are disrupted, and women are thrust into the legal sector, often for the first time, which can be intimidating and daunting.
At the Women’s Legal Centre ACT, we have deeply considered this client experience and transformed our approach to partnering with community and crisis organisations to increase access to our specialised legal services. No single profession or service can address all the needs that arise during this challenging time. By bringing together the service sector, we empower women with legal advice and information on how to keep themselves and their children safe and together.
Our Approach to Embedding Multidisciplinary Legal Services through Community Partnerships are successful by:
1. Mutually Sharing Power and Expertise
• Establishing equal partnerships where both legal professionals and community organisations share their unique expertise.
• Joint Training Programs: Conducting training sessions where legal professionals educate community organization staff on legal processes, while community organizations provide insights into client care.
• Shared Resources: Pooling resources such as funding, space, and technology to increase access for women.
2. Keeping the Woman’s Experience Central
• Trauma Informed Practice : Understanding that women’s previous experiences may impact her and we must always consider safety.
• Client-Centered Approach: Priorotising the woman’s perspective, ensuring that her needs are the focal point of all interventions.
• Holistic Support: Integrating legal support with other essential services such as housing, healthcare, and financial counseling....
3. Using Reflective Practice to Strengthen Partnerships
• Continuous Improvement: Regularly reflecting on partnership practices to identify strengths and challenges to the evolving needs.
• Feedback Mechanisms: Implementing systems for collecting and acting on feedback from women using the services.
Our Approach to Embedding Multidisciplinary Legal Services through Community Partnerships are made successful by:
1. Mutually Sharing Power and Expertise
2. Keeping the Woman’s Experience Central
3. Using Reflective Practice to Strengthen Partnerships
At the Women’s Legal Centre ACT, we have deeply considered this client experience and transformed our approach to partnering with community and crisis organisations to increase access to our specialised legal services. No single profession or service can address all the needs that arise during this challenging time. By bringing together the service sector, we empower women with legal advice and information on how to keep themselves and their children safe and together.
Our Approach to Embedding Multidisciplinary Legal Services through Community Partnerships are successful by:
1. Mutually Sharing Power and Expertise
• Establishing equal partnerships where both legal professionals and community organisations share their unique expertise.
• Joint Training Programs: Conducting training sessions where legal professionals educate community organization staff on legal processes, while community organizations provide insights into client care.
• Shared Resources: Pooling resources such as funding, space, and technology to increase access for women.
2. Keeping the Woman’s Experience Central
• Trauma Informed Practice : Understanding that women’s previous experiences may impact her and we must always consider safety.
• Client-Centered Approach: Priorotising the woman’s perspective, ensuring that her needs are the focal point of all interventions.
• Holistic Support: Integrating legal support with other essential services such as housing, healthcare, and financial counseling....
3. Using Reflective Practice to Strengthen Partnerships
• Continuous Improvement: Regularly reflecting on partnership practices to identify strengths and challenges to the evolving needs.
• Feedback Mechanisms: Implementing systems for collecting and acting on feedback from women using the services.
Our Approach to Embedding Multidisciplinary Legal Services through Community Partnerships are made successful by:
1. Mutually Sharing Power and Expertise
2. Keeping the Woman’s Experience Central
3. Using Reflective Practice to Strengthen Partnerships
Biography
Kasumi Ejiri has been instrumental in leading the transformation of the Women’s Legal centre ACT into a multidisciplinary and trauma-informed organisation. By recognising the prevalence and impacts of trauma and driving a commitment to reflective practice, the Centre now boasts a groundbreaking framework that integrates legal expertise with the invaluable perspectives of social workers and other professionals.
Drawing from her Masters of Social Works and extensive background as a specialist domestic violence worker and her tenure in remote Central Australia, Kasumi has a deep understanding of the nuanced challenges faced by marginalised communities, particularly women affected by trauma and injustice.
