Mrs S is supported to escape her abusive husband

Mrs S lives with a disability and was dependent on her spouse as a result of a stroke 20 years ago. She was referred to Caxton’s Seniors Legal and Support Service after carers at a respite centre noticed she had a black eye. Mrs S experienced physical, psychological and financial abuse from her husband throughout their long marriage and Mrs S’s husband controlled all finances, monitored the mail and would not … Continue reading Mrs S is supported to escape her abusive husband

Protestor Nada found not guilty

A thriving democracy needs protest.  And yet, peaceful protesters in Australia carry heavy and increasing personal and legal risks.  It is essential to uphold and defend the right to peacefully protest, especially as more and more everyday people find their voices on the key issues facing us all, such as climate change.  In 2019 Caxton … Continue reading Protestor Nada found not guilty

Financial Abuse Awareness training program

The Financial Abuse Awareness training program is part of the Financial Protections Service, a service co-designed by the Queensland Government, Caxton Legal Centre and Townsville Community Law.  The training program is an online continuing professional development program that aims to raise financial industry awareness about the financial abuse of older persons.   https://youtu.be/9bogd2sNGw0 Research notes that education and training … Continue reading Financial Abuse Awareness training program

Unlocking the Human Rights Act 2019 for your clients: the Right to Education

Timed to coincide with the start of the 2020 school year, this webinar uses the right to education as a practice example of how the Human Rights Act 2019 (Qld) can be used to bring clarity to tricky situations and offer families and individuals new ways to resolve problems. It will be especially useful to practitioners in … Continue reading Unlocking the Human Rights Act 2019 for your clients: the Right to Education

Geoffrey’s abusive son forced to leave

People experiencing elder abuse regularly hide the abuse in an effort to protect family members from distress and conflict. Abuse can carry on for years, with adult children unaware that their elderly mother or father is being subjected to violence and intimidation. The strong desire of parents to shield their children from their problems unfortunately works to undermine their … Continue reading Geoffrey’s abusive son forced to leave

Caxton Legal Centre to cease tree and fence dispute legal advice

Caxton Legal Centre will have additional services available for vulnerable people when it ceases the provision of legal advice about dividing fences, neighbourhood tree disputes and retaining walls.   Comprehensive legal information will continue to be available through the Centre’s well-respected self-help kits on dividing fences and tree disputes.   “Caxton turns away thousands of disadvantaged people each year … Continue reading Caxton Legal Centre to cease tree and fence dispute legal advice

Positive steps for tenants in proposed reforms

Residential tenants will be well served if the Queensland Government proceeds with current recommendations on tenancy laws which take positive steps towards safer and more equitable rental housing for Queenslanders.   The removal of the option for landlords to end tenancies without reason would help to protect children and families in residential tenancies from instability and financial stress.   Proposed … Continue reading Positive steps for tenants in proposed reforms

People living in poverty need to be able to recover belongings

For Queenslanders who live on the margins of significant poverty making a home for themselves can be a significant and ongoing challenge.  Lack of legal remedies to assist with the recovery of wrongfully withheld possessions, which are not of value in a commercial sense, is part of the difficulty in maintaining a sense of home for … Continue reading People living in poverty need to be able to recover belongings

Caxton Legal Centre’s highlights for the year

As the year draws to an end it’s an opportune time to reflect on the achievements of Caxton Legal Centre. Chief Executive Officer Cybele Koning’s words from our forthcoming Annual Report describe some of the highlights...  This year, while continuing to deliver legal services integrated with social work support across our core areas, we experienced unprecedented growth with … Continue reading Caxton Legal Centre’s highlights for the year

Valentina – starting afresh after a lengthy and abusive marriage  

When someone is affected by domestic violence, it can be difficult to access all the supports needed to start afresh, especially when they have been in a long marriage, are from a non-English speaking background and are socially isolated. Specialist supports are required to pull together all the help needed.  Valentina experienced extensive physical, sexual … Continue reading Valentina – starting afresh after a lengthy and abusive marriage