SAFETY
Women’s Domestic Violence Court
Assistance Service
VSS has been funded by the Office for
Women, through the Victims of Crime
Fund, to provide a specific legal support
service to women who have been victims
of family and domestic violence. The
Women’s DV Court Assistance Service
(WDVCAS) has, for the first time, enabled
VSS to employ qualified lawyers to
provide information and advice to victims
of crime, and potentially represent them
in Court.
The new service commenced on the
1 July 2015 and has been initially funded
for 2 years to 30 June 2017. The team is
headed by Senior Lawyer Debra Spizzo
who has extensive experience in family
law, including intervention orders, as well
as having a background as a women’s
health nurse and midwife. Prior to joining
VSS, Debra held positions with barristers
and solicitors Belperio Clark, Hume
Taylor, and Lempriere Abbott Mcleod.
Joining Debra is Junior Lawyer Nicole
Stockdale, formerly of Lipson Chambers
and paralegal Frankie Rodney.
Supporting Victims of Crime
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