Djirra (formerly Aboriginal Family Violence Prevention and Legal Service)
Field of Law
Family Violence Intervention Orders; Family Law, Child Protection; Victims of Crime; Community Legal Centres; Indigenous; Family Violence; Indigenous Students/Lawyers
Stage of career
Undergraduate; Graduate; Practising Lawyers; Indigenous Students/Lawyers
Contact details
Address: Head Office, 292 Hoddle Street, Abbotsford VIC 3067 (Djirra’s services are also located in Bairnsdale, Ballarat, Bendigo, Echuca, Mildura, Morwell and Warrnambool)
Phone: 03 9244 3333 / 1800 105 303
Visit the Djirra website
Contact person: Megan Ross, Manager Legal Services
Email: info.afvls@djirra.org.au
Description of Organisation
Djirra is a place where culture is shared and celebrated, and where practical support is available to all Aboriginal women and particularly to Aboriginal people who are currently experiencing family violence or have in the past.
As most of our contact is with women, the work we do is predominantly designed by and for Aboriginal women.
We are an Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation governed by an Aboriginal Board of Directors who are elected by our members.
Our journey started in 2002 when we were established as the Aboriginal Family Violence Prevention & Legal Service (FVPLS Victoria). Since then we have grown, expanded our services, and evolved as an organisation, and now we are Djirra.
Djirra is the Woiwurrung word for the reed used by Wurundjeri women for basket weaving. Traditionally, when women gathered to weave, important talks took place and problems were solved. Djirra symbolises Aboriginal women today, still coming together to share stories, support each other and find solutions.
Number of legal positions within organisation: 3 FTE Managers, 14 FTE Lawyers, 11 FTE Paralegals, 0.6 FTE Legal Services Reporting, Monitoring, and Evaluation Advisor
Information for Indigenous students/graduates
How many law graduates do you employ outside your graduate program, and what sort of roles do they fill?
NA – Practising Certificate required
What sort of volunteer/internship opportunities are available?
No current volunteer/internship opportunities available. Volunteer positions are advertised on Djirra’s website when available: https://djirra.org.au/get-involved/work-with-us/#join-our-team
Contact person for volunteers: Refer website
Information for practising lawyers
What are you looking for in a permanent employee?
- A strong desire to improve law and justice outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander victims/survivors of family violence.
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander lawyers are strongly encouraged to apply.
- Experience working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
- Experience in AFVLS, Djirra practice areas.
- Experience working with clients who have experienced family violence and/or other forms of trauma.
- Applicants need to have excellent communication skills.
What prior work is viewed favourably?
Experience in Family Violence Intervention Orders, Family law, Child Protection and Victims of Crime Assistance matters
Where do you advertise your positions?
Vacant positions are advertised on the Join Our Team page of the Djirra website: https://djirra.org.au/get-involved/work-with-us/#join-our-team as well as Ethical Jobs, Pro Bono, WAN Place, Tarwirri, Victoria Legal Aid, Federation of Community Legal Centres, CLCs Australia and Djirra’s Linked In, Facebook and Twitter accounts
Comments
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander lawyers are strongly encouraged to apply.
If interested in working with us but not currently practising in our practice areas, seek volunteer opportunities with other CLCs working with clients experiencing family violence