Standing together in supporting, empowering, and advocating for those who need it most 

It's not just our mission,
it's our responsibility

As we enter September and look ahead to the 16 Days of Activism, we are reminded that our work is part of a global movement to end violence, promote equality, and champion justice. 

This quarter, you will read about how we have stood alongside courageous clients like the mother in Our Journey Through Darkness, who, with the support of our dedicated DFV caseworkers, found safety and a new path forward. Stories like hers reflect a sobering reality. Last year was one of the worst years on record, with on average one woman killed every five days due to gender-based violence, and many more lived with daily fear and abuse.  

From our legal team securing justice for victim-survivors under the Victims Support Scheme, to ensuring fair outcomes for clients like Mr Sen in our Driving Offences Legal Service, our team continues to deliver life-changing outcomes. 

The quarter ahead is filled with significant dates that are pertinent to the work we do. Are You OK Day, the International Day of Non-Violence, 16-days of activism, and the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women are all reminders of the ongoing need for systemic change.

My team and I will be taking the time to recommit on these days, and every day to creating safety, dignity, and equality. This is not just our mission, it’s our responsibility and I thank you for your support along the way. 

DFV Casework is showing up for our clients 

What makes our DFV team truly extraordinary isn’t just their expertise or professionalism, it’s their compassion, dedication, and ability to find creative solutions in challenging situations. Every single day, the team shows up for clients, for each other, and for the community with determination, empathy, and heart. Their achievements are matched only by their kindness and commitment to making a real difference. 

One team member said, “The most rewarding part is watching a client take back control of their life.” 

This dedication is reflected in last financial year’s outstanding results with the team exceeding KPIs and delivering life-changing support to women and children across our programs.

We received 952 referrals; a 23.5% increase from the previous year, and provided case management to 684 clients, representing a 15.4% increase. Many women were able to remain safely in their own homes through the installation of security devices, while others accessed vouchers that supported their journey toward safety, stability, and independence. 

This vital work will continue to be at the forefront as we commemorate the International Day of Non-Violence in October and 16 Days of Activism in November; a powerful platform to raise awareness, amplify voices, and share stories of resilience. 

These moments of impact, both big and small, are the heartbeat of our programs’ success. As we look ahead, as another team member said,

“We can’t change the past, but we can stand alongside someone as they step into their future.”

Our commitment remains steadfast: to stand together in supporting, empowering, and advocating for those who need it most. 

My journey through darkness

How My Children and I Survived Domestic Violence 

We received this beautiful blog from one of our clients and it moved all of us. We are so honoured to have the hard-working team that we do… 

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For years, my children and I lived in fear, trapped in a hostile environment where domestic violence was a daily reality. I carried the weight of physical, emotional, and mental abuse while trying to protect my kids from the trauma around us. But they felt it too, and slowly, they became victims themselves. 

Despite the pain, I stayed silent for a long time. Financial dependence and the fear of my family breaking apart kept me holding on, hoping things might get better. But the abuse worsened. My husband’s cruelty changed — he began punishing us with silence, playing with my children’s emotions, and threatening to cut off all financial support. 

In June 2024, everything changed. During an argument, my eldest daughter was physically abused. That moment was the breaking point. We finally reported the violence to the police, and life as we knew it started to shift. Suddenly, my husband left, blocking all access to money, leaving us with nothing — no groceries, no fuel, no money. The police issued an Apprehended Violence Order to protect us and assured me the state would support us, but the journey ahead felt overwhelming. 

The very next day, Justice Support Centre called. They offered food and fuel vouchers and assigned a domestic violence social worker to us. Meeting Linh* was like a lifeline - she saw how tired and broken I was and gave me the support and encouragement I desperately needed. She helped me apply for victim support payments and the escape violence payment, which was enough to cover groceries and fuel for about two to three months. She visited regularly, met my children, and always showed kindness and understanding. She facilitated referrals to lawyers from her department, who provided me with enough information about my legal rights regarding property, parenting, and divorce issues... 

Read the full life-changing story via the link below...

Submission for Legal Commissioner  

During the year, the legal team assisted 1,742 clients—up 5% from last year—and delivered 4,580 services to individuals and the community. In Quarter 4 alone the team assisted 449 clients with their legal problems.

Through our legal and advocacy work, JSC has extensive experience assisting victim-survivors to access the Victims Support Scheme in NSW.  

Our frontline experience provides unique insight into the challenges faced by victim-survivors in seeking support, the systemic barriers that impact access to justice, and the improvements needed to strengthen victim-centred responses.  

Given our longstanding engagement with Victims Services, legal frameworks, and support systems, JSC was well-placed to contribute to the consultation and advocate for reforms that enhance overall effectiveness, transparency, and accessibility of the Victims Support Scheme.  

We strongly support the creation of an independent Victims Rights and Victims of Crimes Commissioner (‘the Commissioner’) as a positive step towards stronger advocacy and oversight for victims of crime in NSW.  

Overall, the Draft Bill incorporates many of the recommendations we made previously, in response to the initial Consultation paper.  As a result, we have limited our submission to outstanding recommendations which would further strengthen the role of the Commission.

Legal team front and centre in
Law Society Journal

Our Legal team was front and centre in the July issue of the Law Society Journal – and it’s a powerful read. As we head into a quarter that marks many significant dates such as Social Justice Month as one example, this article puts a spotlight on the incredible work JSC does across South West Sydney, advocating for people who are too often left behind. As our CEO, Melanie Noden says in the piece: 

“South West Sydney deserves the same access to justice as anywhere else in NSW.” 

It also doesn’t shy away from the reality we face – with overwhelming demand, not enough funding, and a team that’s constantly being asked to do more with less. 

“We triage, we make tough decisions, and still – we are turning people away because we don’t have enough lawyers.” – Liz Simpson, Head Solicitor 

Despite that, our teams continue to show up every day for the people who need us most – families in crisis, women fleeing violence, and communities battling systemic barriers. That’s something to be proud of. 

Check out the full feature below via the link...

Driving Offences Legal Service (DOLS) making a difference

During the Christmas holidays last year, Mr Sen* was riding an e-bike in Belmore while working as an UberEATS delivery driver. He is 20 years old and had only entered Australia three months prior on a student visa.  This was his first job in Australia, and he had hired the e-bike from someone else. 

While delivering, police sighted his e-bike travelling above 25 km/h and powered only by the electric engine on the bike, and not him pedalling. They immediately stopped him and fined him with 4 separate fines relating to registration, insurance and licencing of the vehicle, totalling almost $3,000 in penalty notices.   

As a result, Mr Sen stopped working as a delivery rider. Due to his stress and anxiety about the large fines, he elected to have all of his matters heard at Bankstown court, not realising that this would also incur further court costs.   

At Bankstown court, our solicitor, Raj* agreed to provide him legal advice. After much research, we advised him that under the law relating to e-bikes, the engine cannot be used once the bike exceeds 25 km/h, and at that point the bike is then defined as a vehicle, even if it’s not capable of being registered or insured. Mr Sen understood this and noted that his speedometer was not working at the time. 

Raj advised him to plead guilty and given the complexity of the matter and his lack of financial means, and also agreed to represent him on the day. 

On sentence, Raj explained the situation to the Magistrate, noting all of the above, even having to guide the Magistrate through the relevant legislation. We also made clear that the police chose to issue nearly $3,000 of fines to someone who had just entered the country and was riding for the purposes of work and was not driving dangerously of any sort. The Magistrate agreed with our submissions, noting that Raj had spoken “eloquently and forcefully” on behalf of Mr Sen, and all the charges were dismissed. This meant that Mr Sen will not have to pay any fines or court costs, and the matters will not be entered on his traffic history. 

Mr Sen was very grateful and happy, as he had anxiety about having to stomach such large fines within a few months of arriving in Australia, and he now felt empowered to look for work again without thousands of dollars of fines hanging over his head. 

*Names changed to protect privacy 

Standing together against violence 

The International Day of Non-Violence, RU OK Day and The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence are all prominent campaigns calling for the prevention and elimination of violence against women and girls. Our JSC leadership team stands in solidarity with these global movements.  

Gender-based violence is not an isolated issue; it intersects with systemic inequalities that disproportionately affect women from marginalised backgrounds, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, migrant women, women with disability, and those experiencing family and domestic violence.    

In our work at the intersection of justice, support, and advocacy, the teams and I regularly see how violence strips away safety, dignity, and independence, and how recovery requires not just legal protection, but social and economic empowerment.  

What we are doing 
At JSC, we are committed to embedding fairness, transparency, and inclusion in our recruitment, remuneration, and career development practices. We audit our salary structures, monitor internal equity, and champion pathways for professional growth across all levels of the organisation.  

What You Can Do  

• Learn about the 16 Days of Activism and the issues it highlights  

• Reflect on how bias (both conscious and unconscious) can influence decision-making in work and community settings  

• Speak out against attitudes and behaviours that perpetuate gender-based violence  

• Support policies and initiatives that promote safety, respect, and equality for all.  

True change is only achieved through ongoing commitment, accountability, and the courage to challenge the status quo.  

Marc Haynes,
Chief Operating Officer
Justice Support Centre 

Embedding a culture of care and safety 

This quarter has been about embedding a culture of care, safety, and leadership across JSC. Some major safety milestones:  

• WHS Strategy, Risk Assessment, and new Lone Worker protocols 

• Mental health focus: Partnership with The Resilience Project + Danielle Colley  

• Strong start: 8–10 Net Promoter Score from onboarding survey 

• All staff enrolled in Crucial Conversations  

• Specialist DV training to support women’s safety. 

We’ve strengthened key policies, improved how we support new starters, and invested in the wellbeing of our team—knowing that when our people thrive, so do the women and communities we support. 

As we approach significant days such as RY OK Day and the 16 Days of Activism, I’m especially proud of our targeted training for WDVCAS workers. These initiatives ensure we’re not only keeping our team safe but building their capability to create real change in the lives of women experiencing violence. 

"For me, this work is deeply personal. Every policy we create, every conversation we nurture it's all part of building a workplace that truly reflects who we are and what we stand for: compassion, courage, and connection. I want our people to feel safe, seen, and supported, because when we care for each other, we’re better able to care for the communities we serve."  

Juliane Scuteri
HR Manager 

Acknowledgement of Country

Justice Support Centre proudly acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we operate, the Cabrogal Peoples of the Darug nation, the Gadigal Peoples of the Eora Nation, as well as the Tharawal and Gandangara Nations. We acknowledge their continuing connection to the land, waters and community and pay our respects to their Elders past and present. We extend this respect to all Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander Peoples.