CCCWHC calls for specialist legal partners as decades-long outreach service ends.

21 September 2026 – Women experiencing domestic, family and sexual violence (DFSV) on the Central Coast are facing new barriers to accessing specialist legal advice following statewide funding changes that have seen Legal Aid NSW’s Domestic Violence Unit cease its longstanding face-to-face outreach service at the Central Coast Community Women’s Health Centre (CCCWHC).

For close to four decades, women have been able to access free, specialist DFSV legal advice in a safe and trusted environment at CCCWHC, a service that has operated since 1988.

CCCWHC Head of Client Services, Sarah-Jane Hill, says the loss of face-to-face legal outreach creates a significant gap for women experiencing violence.

“Legal Aid exists because not everyone can afford private legal representation. Without it, many women simply cannot participate effectively in the justice system,” says Sarah-Jane.

“When people cannot get legal help, cases take longer, courts can become even more congested, and children can remain in conflict for longer periods of time.

“We know that responses need to be provided face-to-face, in safe spaces. For women who are already navigating fear, coercion and uncertainty, that safe connection can be critical. When face-to-face options in safe, specialist organisations are removed, we risk creating further barriers for women who are already facing significant obstacles to accessing support.”

Ms Hill says legal advice is not simply a pathway to navigating the justice system but can also be an important protective factor for women experiencing violence.

“Legal advice is a protective element for women who are experiencing domestic, family and sexual violence,” says Sarah-Jane.

“For many women, coming into a safe organisation like CCCWHC and sitting down face-to-face with a lawyer provides an opportunity to connect, tell their story and understand their options in a way that is simply not possible over the phone or online.

“We are also seeing increasing concerns around technology-facilitated abuse. Women may not trust their devices, may have their communications monitored or may not feel safe making an online booking or taking a telephone call from a lawyer."

Legal Aid NSW confirmed the decision to cease its outreach services at CCCWHC earlier this year forms part of a broader service review affecting all six of its outreach locations and has acknowledged the value of its longstanding partnership with CCCWHC.

CCCWHC acknowledges the increasing pressure on the legal assistance sector but is concerned about what the loss of specialist, face-to-face outreach means for women on the Central Coast who cannot safely or effectively access alternative forms of legal assistance.

CCCWHC is now calling on local law firms, specialist legal services and other potential partners to work with the Centre to help address this gap.

“We are not prepared to simply accept that women experiencing violence should have fewer options for accessing legal help,” adds Sarah-Jane.

“We want to work with organisations that share our commitment to women’s safety and access to justice to explore how we can restore or strengthen face-to-face specialist legal support on the Central Coast.

“Women experiencing violence deserve access to legal advice in a way that is safe, accessible and responsive to their circumstances.”

CCCWHC is seeking expressions of interest from law firms and specialist legal services interested in partnering with the Centre to provide legal support to women experiencing domestic, family and sexual violence on the Central Coast.

To discuss partnership opportunities, please contact:

Sarah-Jane Hill, Head of Client Services
Central Coast Community Women’s Health Centre
SarahJane.Hill@ccwh.org.au

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This Women’s Health Week, Central Coast Community Women’s Health Centre (CCCWHC) is recognising the impact of enhanced NSW Government funding, which has enabled more women and their children to access vital health and wellbeing services across the region.

In 2025/26, CCCWHC supported 6,023 women and their children on 14,274 occasions through its physical, mental and psychosocial women’s healthcare services.

Over the past two years, the number of women and their children supported by the Centre has increased by 106%. A powerful demonstration of what targeted investment in community-based women’s health can achieve.

But demand is growing faster than capacity, with 1,605 additional women unable to access CCCWHC services over the past 12 months.

CCCWHC CEO, Sara Foster, says the NSW Government’s enhanced investment has made a significant difference and demonstrated the value of investing in women’s health close to home.

“We are incredibly grateful for the NSW Government’s investment in women’s health and the confidence it demonstrates in the value of community-based care,” says Sara.

“The results are clear. In just two years, we have increased the number of women and their children we support by 106%. We are reaching more women, providing care earlier and helping women access the right support before their health needs escalate.

“But we also know there is more to do. The fact that we had to turn away an additional 1,605 women last year tells us that demand is growing and we need to keep pace.

“Investment works. It improves outcomes for women, strengthens families and takes pressure off the broader healthcare system.”

By providing prevention, early intervention and accessible specialist care in the community, CCCWHC helps women address health concerns before they become more complex and costly.

Over its 50-year history, CCCWHC has supported more than 100,000 women, with services provided representing an estimated $50 million in savings for the public healthcare system.

CCCWHC is one of 20 Women’s Health Centres across NSW, which collectively supported 223,479 women over the past 12 months, an increase of 10.2% on the previous year.

The network represents an estimated saving of more than $150 million to the NSW Health system in the past year, while CCCWHC estimates its services have reduced the economic burden on the Central Coast healthcare system by more than $3.2 million during the same period.

Sara says continued government investment will be critical to ensure community-based services can keep pace with demand.

“The NSW Government’s enhanced funding has demonstrated the impact that strategic investment can have. The next step is ensuring that investment keeps pace with community demand,” adds Sara.

“Our message this Women’s Health Week is simple: let’s build on what is working. Continued investment will allow us to reach more women, prevent ill-health and reduce pressure on our hospitals. We look forward to continuing this important partnership with the NSW Government as we work towards a healthier future for women on the Central Coast.”

Minister for the Central Coast and Member for Wyong, The Hon. David Harris MP says:

"During Women’s Health Week, we proudly celebrate the invaluable work of Central Coast Community Women’s Health Centre. For years, they have been a steadfast pillar of support, providing accessible, compassionate care and empowering women across the region to take charge of their health and well-being.

“Their dedication creates a lasting, positive ripple effect throughout the entire community, and we are deeply grateful for the profound difference they make every single day."

Member for Gosford, Liesl Tesch MP says:

“Congratulations to the team at CCCWHC on another year of incredible impact for women across the Central Coast.

This is proof that when we invest in community-based women’s health services, we see real outcomes that benefit the women of the Central Coast.

With this important funding boost from the NSW Government, CCCWHC are able to ensure they remain sustainable into the future, reduce waitlists, and serve more women in our community.”

Member for The Entrance, David Mehan MP says:

“The NSW Government’s investment into women’s health centres across NSW has seen a real impact in the support provided to women on the Central Coast.

“Support provided by the Central Coast Community Women’s Health Centre (CCCWHC) to women and children on the Central Coast has increased by 106%, highlighting that real investment achieves real results.

“CCCWHC is an important service provider to women and children on the Central Coast and I’m proud to be part of a Minns Labor Government investing in vital health and wellbeing services across our region.”

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