Kimberley Community Legal Services (KCLS) and Aboriginal Family Legal Services (AFLS) provided a statement to the media in the wake of recent Domestic Violence incidents in Derby, Western Australia.
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Joint Statement from AFLS and KCLS:
Aboriginal Family Legal Services (AFLS) and Kimberley Community Legal Services (KCLS) are deeply concerned about the growing number of family and domestic violence matters in Derby and across the Kimberley that are not resulting in successful prosecutions.
Too often, alleged offenders have legal representation while victim survivors are left to face a complex and intimidating process alone. In regional areas like the Kimberley, limited service capacity, cultural and community pressures, coercive control, and safety concerns can prevent victim survivors from attending court, leading to cases collapsing and people remaining at risk.
CEO of Kimberley Community Legal Services, Matt Panayi, said recent cases supported by the service show how gaps in the system can place victim survivors at further risk. He pointed to one example that illustrates the impact of these gaps:
“In one matter, a woman who had fled a violent partner was not notified by police that charges had been laid, a trial date had been set, or that the matter had later been postponed,” Mr Panayi said.
“Without KCLS intervening to obtain basic information, engage victim support services to arrange special witness protections, and ensure she could give evidence safely by video link, the prosecution was at serious risk of collapsing.”
Mr Panayi stressed this was not an isolated incident, but part of a broader pattern. “This experience is not unique and reflects a wider pattern where victim survivors are being left without coordinated support, communication, or advocacy at critical stages of the justice process.
AFLS and KCLS believe introducing a culturally informed, place‑based court support model would significantly improve outcomes for victim survivors, and look forward to continuing positive collaboration with Government and local services.
CEO of Aboriginal Family Legal Services, Corina Martin, echoed the need for stronger, ongoing support. She emphasised the importance of ensuring people are not left to navigate the system alone:
“Victim survivors deserve proper legal support so they are not facing the justice system alone. With the right investment, we can improve safety, accountability and outcomes for our communities.”
Ms Martin said the recent violence in Derby highlights why these gaps cannot wait to be addressed, adding, “Community led, culturally safe support is essential to help victim survivors stay safe and stay engaged in the justice process.”
Media contact: Akira Boardman, 0431 385 255.
