General News
17 February, 2026
Family Violence and housing are the most common legal issues locally, report finds
ARC Justice saw the human impact of regional Victoria’s housing pressures and cost of living hike arise in 2025, particularly throughout the Central Goldfields Shire (CGS).
Last year, the organisation assisted 7196 people across rural and regional Victoria, delivering a total of 9245 services.
These figures, drawn from the organisation’s 2025 Impact Report, show 71 percent of clients were women.
Across the board, clients included older residents facing eviction, parents escaping violence, young people in crisis and workers affected by financial strain.
However, CGS was not exempt from these issues, with ARC Justice supporting 103 residents and delivering 203 legal services in the area.
Some 60 percent of clients were experiencing family violence or at risk of it, and 30 percent of clients presented with more than one legal issue.
Family violence was a dominant driver of legal need. The most common legal problem recorded in the area during 2025 was family violence protection orders, followed by housing issues, parenting arrangements and family violence-related criminal matters.
The data showed legal problems in the region are rarely isolated, with family violence frequently intersecting with housing instability, family law and financial stress.
Between July and December 2025, ARC Justice delivered close to 100 services, with 39 percent of those needing assistance with more than one legal issue.
According to ARC Justice CEO Damian Stock, over that same six month period, the Maryborough Therapeutic Justice Partnership supported 16 local clients between July and December 2025, embedding ARC lawyers alongside relevant teams at Maryborough District Health Service.
“Legal advice was the most common service provided high-lighting the importance of early intervention to prevent problems escalating,” he said.
“Family law was the most frequently recorded problem type for clients supported through the partnership, followed by parenting arrangements and other family law matters. Many of these cases also involved family violence, health challenges or financial stress.”
ARC Justice said one of these cases involved a woman living with a chronic illness who had thousands of dollars in disputed charges wiped after a referral from her local hospital connected her with free legal support.
Living with a chronic health condition, the client had previously been approved for funding for a mobility scooter from a national supplier.
When that funding was later withdrawn the supplier collected the device, but continued issuing monthly bills.
Despite repeated attempts, she was unable to resolve the issue directly.
ARC Justice contacted the company, requesting copies of all invoices and delivery records to review the charges.
After auditing the account, the company agreed to wipe all outstanding fees.
“The case shows how health issues, financial stress and legal problems often collide. It also demonstrates the strength of the justice partnership, with ARC Justice and the hospital working together to protect vulnerable people from further harm,” Mr Stock said.
ARC Justice is a rights-based, for-purpose organisation incorporating the Loddon Campaspe Community Legal Centre and Housing Justice, with a team of close to 70 staff working to advocate for and uphold the rights of rural and regional Victorians.