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Mulleun Mura: Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Women's Access to Justice Program

Mulleun Mura works to strengthen Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and communities by supporting women and families to stay connected and stay safe.

Mulleun Mura is the only law and justice service dedicated to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and their families in the ACT and surrounding region.

Our Program is focussed on supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women who are affected by domestic and family violence, relationship breakdown and women who need help engaging with Child Protection.

We respect your capacity to look after yourself and your family, and want to empower you with access to legal advice, advocacy, cultural knowledge and casework support.

HOW WE HELP

We provide free legal advice and representation as well as advocacy, emotional support, cultural advice, referral, case-management and information.

We can help you make parenting arrangements for your children as well as assist with the division of property if you are separating from your partner. We assist all women who are involved in the care of kids, including aunties, grandmothers and other women with kinship connections.

We can help if Child Protection have raised concerns about the care and safety of your kids or kids in your care. This includes practical assistance to get you the support and resources you need, and legal assistance to make sure the process is fair and your voice is heard. We can also assist you if you are not Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander but your kids are.

We also work with the other specialist practice areas and programs at the Centre. We can help if you are having problems at work, if you’ve been discriminated against because of your race or any other reason. We can also help you apply for financial compensation if you have been a victim of a crime.

If you’re not sure what area of law you need help with or want to talk through your issues, get in touch and we can link you in with the best services to help.

HOW WE WORK

Contact us on (02) 6257 4377 to see how we can help. You can ask to speak with the Mulleun Mura team, or the Client Services Team can make an appointment with us for you.

We will yarn with you to work out what you need to reach your goals. Women’s empowerment and decision making is at the centre of our work.

We are also happy to come and meet with you somewhere you feel safe, including another service you are already working with, at home or a café etc. We do have some restrictions at the moment but get in touch so we can see what’s possible.

Our door is always open to you.

WHO WE ARE

The Program is staffed by a Program Manager/Managing Solicitor, Ness Graf and Senior Paralegal, Alex-lee Hargy.

Ness is a descendant of the Butchulla and Mulunjarli nations and Alex-lee is a Kamilaroi woman.

We work together to provide legal assistance and wraparound support to you and your family. We also work to support you if you need help from some of the other specialist lawyers at the Centre, so you can have cultural support no matter what your legal issue is.

A photograph of Ness Graf, smiling and wearing fabulous earrings.

Ness Graf, Program Manager/Managing Solicitor

EMERGENCY SERVICES

If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call for police and ambulance help.

Ph: 000

If you require police assistance but it is not an emergency, phone 131 444 or visit the ACT Police website.

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DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CRISIS SERVICE

DVCS is an inclusive service supporting children, young people and adults impacted by domestic and family violence. This includes those who use violence.

Ph: 24/7 Crisis Line (02) 6280 0900

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CANBERRA COMMUNITY LAW
CCL provides free legal assistance in the areas of public housing, Centrelink, disability discrimination and some civil law matters. It also runs specialist programs to assist Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with Centrelink, housing and race discrimination legal issues and people experiencing homelessness with civil law issues.

Ph: (02) 6218 7900

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CONSUMER LAW CENTRE ACT
CLC provides free legal advice and representation in the areas of consumer credit (mortgages, credit cards and personal loans), debt recovery, financial abuse, bankruptcy, insurance, simple contracts, and general fair trading and consumer protection.

Ph: 02 6143 0044

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ABORIGINAL LEGAL SERVICE
ALS provides free legal advice and representation in the areas of criminal law, family law, Care and Protection and Tenancy for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Ph: 1800 765 767 (Criminal matters) 1800 733 233 (Care & protection and family matters)

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LEGAL AID ACT
LA provides free legal advice and representation in the areas of criminal law, family law and some civil law matters, including migration and private tenancy issues.

Ph: 1300 654 314 (Helpline)

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LEGAL AID DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND PERSONAL PROTECTION ORDER UNIT

This Unit provides free assistance to people applying for Family Violence Orders and help to understand and respond to orders. The Unit is located at the ACT Magistrates Court.

Ph: (02) 6207 1874 or 1300 654 314

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