1. Fight For Your Rights Strengthening Disability Advocacy Conference March 2012

2. Our names are Jess Richter, Eleanore Fritze, Aimee Cooper and Rob Daly We are lawyers from Victoria Legal Aid. Hello!

3. We will talk about what the law is and what your rights are We will talk about how a lawyer can help you fight for your rights We will try and answer your questions What are we talking about today?

4. Jess will speak about the Police and what happens if you break the law. Eleanore will talk about what you can do if someone hurts you or makes you feel unsafe. Aimee will talk about what you can do if the law affects your money. Rob will speak about fair treatment and discrimination. What areas of law will we talk about?

5. Police and crime What is a crime? What powers do the Police have? What are some of the laws?

6. Crime Police interviews What are my rights? ASK TO SPEAK TO A LAWYER ASK FOR AN INDEPENDENT THIRD PERSON SAY ‘NO COMMENT’

7. Crime Going to court What are my rights? SPEAK TO A LAWYER

8. Help and protection for victims Intervention orders Victims of crime support What are some of the laws?

9. Intervention Orders Is someone threatening you? following you? hurting you? making you feel unsafe? This is against the law. YOU CAN GET PROTECTION SPEAK TO A LAWYER What are my rights?

10. Victims How can I report a crime to the Police? What happens when I report a crime? What are my rights? CALL THE VICTIMS OF CRIME HELPLINE

11. What are my rights? Support & compensation You can get support to help you after the crime You can apply to a Tribunal for money to help you SPEAK TO A LAWYER

12. Money matters Debts Fines Centrelink What are some of the laws?

13. Debts If you are on Centrelink you may not have to pay back the money. Sometimes you can show that you don’t owe the money. If you have a debt you can see a financial counselor for help What are my rights?

14. Fines You can ask to review the decision to give you a fine. You can have your circumstances taken into account. SPEAK TO A LAWYER What are my rights?

15. Centrelink You can ask Centrelink to make a new decision about your payment. You can ask a Tribunal to make a decision instead of Centrelink. SPEAK TO A LAWYER What are my rights?

16. Discrimination and unfair treatment It can be illegal to treat people differently on the basis of their disability. Not all unfair treatment is discrimination, it has to be covered by law. What are some of the laws?

17. You can complain about discrimination. You may reach an agreement. Or you may go to a Tribunal or Court. SPEAK TO A LAWYER What are my rights?

18. Now we will break into four small groups so that you can ask us questions. Which group will you join? Jess – Police and crime Eleanore – Victims help Aimee – Fines, debt and Centrelink Rob – Discrimination Want to know more?

19. So now I know about my rights. How do I speak to a lawyer? How can Victoria Legal Aid help me?

20. We have lawyers who can help you Most of our help is free We have 15 offices. About Victoria Legal Aid

21. We have a free phone line for legal help. You can call this number Monday to Friday 8.45 am to 5.15 pm 9269 0120 About Victoria Legal Aid

22. They understand the law Meet with you, talk with you, help you understand and fight for your rights. What does a lawyer do?

23. Write letters for you Make phone calls for you Go to court or the tribunal with you. What does a lawyer do?

24. We have free publications About Victoria Legal Aid

25. Villamanta Disability Legal Rights Service Ph 5229 2925 Disability Discrimination Legal Service Ph 9654 8644 Other people who can help

26. Federation of Community Legal Centres Ph 9652 1500 Private lawyer LIV referral service Ph 9607 9550 Other people who can help

27. Victims of crime helpline Ph 1800 819 817 Other people who can help