Law Week is an annual celebration that is all about creating greater access to justice.

For most people, their first encounter with the law can be a difficult and stressful time.  The law affects each of our daily lives, which is why Law Week is about demystifying the law and empowering people.  It is designed to help people understand their rights, find answers to their questions, know what help is available and how our legal system works.

Law Week is all about making learning about the law easy, and making it easier for people to navigate – it’s for you.

We are big fans of Law Week and as always, Illawarra Legal Centre will be hosting a number of events that are designed to help you find answers to your legal questions and understand your rights – something we are very passionate about.

Check out our FB page and website for the details of these events and if you are in need of FREE legal advice now, call our office on 4276 1939 to book an appointment.

#LawWeek2022

#YHMD

Wednesday 20 April 2022 is Youth Homelessness Matters Day.  On this day we aim to raise awareness about youth homelessness so that we can support the needs and dreams of homeless young people.

Like many, Illawarra Legal Centre believes that every young Australian deserves a safe place to call home.

In the 2016 Australian census, there were 28,000 homeless 12 to 24 year olds.  Last year, 41,700 young people asked for help from homelessness services and these numbers are only for those that asked for help, the true number of homeless young people is much higher.

Homelessness is not a choice for young people.  Not remaining at home is sometimes seen as the safest option for a young person. Since young people are more likely to couch surf than sleep rough, this issue is often hidden from sight, but a couch is not a home.   You do not have to be considered ‘disengaged or disadvantaged’ to be at risk of homelessness.  It can happen to anyone.

Let’s join together and call for a nation where every young person has a safe place – not just a couch – to call home.

Today raise your voices and ask the government to act now to build houses that young people can afford to rent.

#YHMD2022

#YouthHomelessnessMattersDay

#EverybodysHome

Did you know that in Australia, children as young as 10 years old are being sent to prison?

This Youth Week (4-14^th April) the Illawarra Legal Centre would like to raise awareness of the Raise the Age campaign.

In just one year across Australia close to 600 children aged 10 to 13 years were locked up and thousands more were hauled through the criminal legal system.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children are disproportionately impacted by these laws and pushed into prison cells at even higher rates, accounting for 65 per cent of these younger children in prisons.

There has been a chorus of calls both nationally and internationally from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations, expert United Nations bodies, human rights organisations, medical and legal bodies, and academics for Australia to raise the minimum age of criminal responsibility.

Children need to be loved and supported so they can reach their full potential. Not locked up.

You can help to #RaiseTheAge by visiting the website below and signing the petition, sharing a photo of you at 10 and emailing your Local MP.

https://www.raisetheage.org.au/

#RaiseTheAge

#YouthWeek2022

#HarmonyWeek

Harmony Week is an opportunity for Australians to celebrate the rich cultural heritage and identity of our country. It is about inclusiveness, respect, and belonging for all Australians, regardless of cultural or linguistic background.

From the oldest continuous culture in the world of our First Nations people to the cultures of our newest arrivals from many countries around the world, Australia is a vibrant, multicultural land.  This week reminds us that we should celebrate this and work together to promote the message of harmony

Harmony Week includes 21 March, which is the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. This is traditionally called Harmony Day and the world observes this date as the day freedom from racial discrimination should be acknowledged and maintained as a human right.

At Illawarra Legal Centre, we are committed to fostering an environment where “everyone belongs”.  We strive to assist people to realise their legal rights, promoting social justice for all and providing a safe and inclusive environment.

We continue to actively protect the human rights of those who are vulnerable and seek to change the structures that systematically undermine those rights.

The designated colour for Harmony Week is orange.  Orange signifies social communication and meaningful conversations. It also relates to the freedom of ideas and encouragement of mutual respect.

So, this Harmony Week, 15th – 21st March, wear something orange to help promote the message of harmony.

#HarmonyWeek

To find out more visit: 

https://www.harmony.gov.au/about

https://www.un.org/en/observances/end-racism-day

International Women’s Day (IWD) 2022

International Women’s Day (IWD) is a global day celebrating the economic, political and social achievements of women past and present.

As well as celebrating brilliant women, IWD is also used as a day to highlight and raise awareness about issues that women still face.  Because we’re not there yet.

More than 100 years ago, that first march was about ending harmful workplace conditions, equal rights, equal pay, and an end to exploitation. Sadly, those aims are still relevant today.  Around the world, women are prevented from reaching their full potential, as basic rights like health and education are still not recognised.

IWD is a once-a-year chance to remind governments, businesses and everyone else watching that women aren’t going anywhere, and we’re prepared to take action to achieve our human rights.

This year the IWD 2022’s campaign theme is #BreakTheBias.  The campaign asks you to cross your arms in solidarity to call out gender bias, discrimination and stereotyping.

Here staff at ILC strike the IWD 2022 pose and share our #BreakTheBias image.

Happy International Women’s Day!

#BreakTheBias           

#IWD2022

To find out more visit: 

https://www.internationalwomensday.com/

https://unwomen.org.au/get-involved/international-womens-day/

#ACallforSocialJustice

World day of Social Justice is on February 20 every year.  The purpose of the day is to focus on the plight of social injustice throughout the world and to press for improvements and solutions.

As a community legal centre, Illawarra Legal Centre (ILC), assists some of the most disadvantaged people in our community and our services know all too well how social injustice and inequalities affect the people of the Illawarra.

Over the last 2 years, we have seen the impact of COVID-19 and bushfires on our community, the needs of those we help have become that much greater.

People who were already living with disadvantages, such unemployment or underemployment, with high levels of existing debt, suffering homelessness, or facing existing difficulties with access to health and social services were further marginalised.

We know that during times like these serious legal issues can escalate quickly.

The short term fixes afforded by government in relation to payments for those who lost work and moratoriums on evictions demonstrate that the current systems do not exist in a space that places welfare and essential needs of people as a priority in society.

We need long term systemic change implemented that affords people a sense of security in their lives.

We need to reduce inequality and end poverty. 

ILC strives to advance social justice through the delivery of our free legal services to members of our community.  We assist people to realise their legal rights, with a particular focus on reaching those who experience social and economic disadvantage in the Illawarra and surrounding areas.

By acknowledging this important day we recognise the need to promote efforts to tackle issues such as poverty, exclusion, employment, gender equity and access to social well-being and justice for all.

#ACallforSocialJustice

To find out more visit: 

United Nations – Social Justice Day

International Labour Organisation (ILO) – Quest for Social Justice

#IVD2021

Today is International Volunteer Day! This day is held on 5th December every year across the globe.

Volunteering is an activity with immense economic, social and cultural value and on this day Illawarra Legal Centre would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our volunteers.

Over the last year, as the COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way we work, our volunteers have remained responsive to the needs of our community.

Every day, our volunteers dedicate time and effort to ensuring inclusion of those often left behind, assisting people to realise their legal rights and promoting social justice for all.

So, on this day (and every other day) we say thank you! Thank you to our Management Committee Members, Thank you to our Volunteer Solicitors, Thank you to our Volunteer Students and Thank you to all our Centre Volunteers. Your time is worth more than money!

Contact us if you’re keen to volunteer and to learn more about opportunities with ILC.
#IVD2021 #VolunteerNow

#IDPwD

International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD) is a United Nations (UN) recognised day held on 3 December each year to celebrate the contributions and achievements of people with disability.

The UN theme for IDPwD this year is ‘Leadership and Participation of persons with disabilities toward an inclusive, accessible and sustainable post-COVID-19 world.’

By acknowledging this important day, we can take action to remove barriers for the 4.4 million Australians with disability and contribute to positive change in our community.

We encourage everyone to get involved and join the celebration! Together, we can all take action to challenge stereotypes, remove barriers and promote inclusive and respectful attitudes and behaviours in our community.

For more information about IDPwD, including resources, stories, videos and social tiles, visit www.idpwd.com.au or follow @idpwd on Facebook and Twitter.

You can also help spread the word and join the conversation online using #IDPwD!