Indigenous West Australians are expected to have better access to justice using the nation’s first Aboriginal-staffed legal information and referral call centre.
Legal Yarn has been created “by mob for mob” to help increase Indigenous people’s awareness and access to Legal Aid WA’s services.
Michelle Sims, Legal Aid WA’s First Nations Services Coordinator, says the justice system can be challenging for Aboriginal people to navigate without assistance.
“While our existing telephone line is there to support all callers, there was clear evidence that Aboriginal callers sometimes felt more comfortable speaking with fellow First Nations mob,” she said on Thursday.
“We hope that Legal Yarn will encourage more First Nations people to seek legal aid and avail themselves of the legal protections and supports guaranteed to them under Western Australian law.”
Legal Aid WA started trials for the new service in November by providing First Nations people with the option to talk to Indigenous staff members.
The response was encouraging, with 1,782 callers actively seeking the support of the Indigenous operators for family matters, civil law support, criminal law issues and help with grants of aid.
Legal Yarn will also partner with other legal organisations, such as the Aboriginal Legal Service and Aboriginal Family Legal Services, in a referral system.
“Our hope is that Legal Yarn will help to ensure that all Aboriginal Western Australians are able to access justice in the most appropriate way for them,” Ms Sims said.
Australian Associated Press