This month marks one year since specialist legal services were formally integrated into the Alexis Family Violence Response Model (A‑FVRM). The partnership between Southside Justice, Gippsland Community Legal Service and The Salvation Army has strengthened the model’s capacity to support families experiencing ongoing and high‑risk family violence.
The Alexis model supports families who often fall outside standard service pathways and require a coordinated, consistent intervention. Embedding lawyers within the multidisciplinary team has ensured that people can receive timely, trauma‑informed legal assistance at key moments when engagement is most achievable.
Strengthening the response through collaboration
Throughout the year, the legal team has worked closely with Salvation Army practitioners to develop shared processes, referral pathways and information‑sharing structures that support a more consistent and integrated response.
Partners report that having dedicated lawyers embedded in the model has led to:
- Timely access to legal help during critical windows of safety risk
- Stronger collaboration between social work practitioners, legal services and Police
- More coordinated responses through shared information and joined‑up planning
- Better client engagement, with many people reporting they would not otherwise have sought legal help
In reflecting on the first year, The Salvation Army shared that:
“The partnership has already been considered to strengthen practitioner capability, improve client access to specialist legal assistance, and enhance the effectiveness and responsiveness of the Alexis model. All partners have demonstrated a high level of collaboration, openness and commitment to shared outcomes.”
Improving safety and stability for clients
The legal team has supported over 40 clients with a range of matters including family violence intervention orders, fines and debt issues, policing and court processes, and family law. Having lawyers embedded in the model has helped clients understand their rights, navigate complex systems, and take steps to improve their overall safety and stability.
One client, Amara (name changed), experienced decades-long financial control and coercion before entering the Alexis program. She was supported to secure an intervention order, address outstanding debts and fines, and begin financial separation. She described the combined support she received as “more than just law,” highlighting the value of coordinated service delivery.
Looking ahead
With these foundations in place, the partnership is well‑positioned for the next phase of integration. The coming year will focus on deepening collaboration, strengthening referral pathways and contributing to the formal evaluation of the model. We are excited to be partnering with Monash University’s Gender and Family Violence Prevention Centre to develop a deeper understanding of the integrated model, focusing on both client outcomes and staff feedback.
Across all agencies, the shared commitment remains clear: improving safety, access to justice and long‑term outcomes for families experiencing high‑risk family violence. One year on, the integration of legal services has become an essential part of achieving that goal, and partners look forward to continuing this work together.
We acknowledge the Victorian Legal Services Board + Commissioner for funding this three-year pilot initiative through the Legal Services Board Grant Program.
