The Seniors Legal and Support Service (SLASS)

 

The Seniors Legal and Support Service (SLASS) is operated by the Cairns Community Legal Centre Inc (the Centre).  The Centre employs both a Solicitor and Social Worker to provide the SLASS.

 

The SLASS provides FREE legal and support services for the benefit of seniors affected by elder abuse or financial exploitation.

 

What is elder abuse?

Elder abuse is any act within a relationship of trust which results in harm to an older person.

It can include:

  • Intentionally hurting a person, e.g. slapping, hitting or mistreating someone
  • Intentionally damaging another person’s property, e.g. hurting pets or breaking belongings
  • Verbal intimidation, humiliation, harassment or threats of physical harm or abandonment
  • Unwanted sexual approaches or indecent behaviour towards another person
  • Preventing a person from seeing others or denying them the right to make their own decisions
  • Intentional or unintentional failure to provide adequate care.

 

What is Financial Exploitation?

Financial exploitation can include:

  • The illegal or improper use, or misappropriation of a person’s property or finances
  • Forced changes to a will or other legal document
  • Denying someone the right to access and control their personal funds
  • Unfair or fraudulent practices relating to retirement villages, aged rental accommodation or residential parks.

 

How can the Seniors Legal and Support Service assist you?

 

The SLASS can (where appropriate):

  • Provide information, advice and support regarding elder abuse, mistreatment or financial exploitation
  • Provide short-term counselling
  • Provide information about your legal rights
  • Refer you to other legal, consumer and support services
  • Represent you in court or before tribunals (in certain limited circumstances)
  • Provide community education.

 

Who can use the Seniors Legal and Support Service?

The SLASS is available to seniors, their carers (or service workers) who live within an hours’ drive of Cairns.  Seniors who live outside of this area may be serviced at the discretion of the Centre.

 

Face to face advice and support is provided (by appointment) by the SLASS at the locations listed below. If you are unable to access the SLASS, a telephone consultation or a meeting at your home can be arranged (where appropriate).

 

CAIRNS

 

·        At the Centre’s office in Cairns.

·        During normal office hours.

 

Telephone 4031 7179 or 1800 650 931 to book an appointment in Cairns.

 

MAREEBA

 

·        At Mareeba.

·        On the first Friday of every month.

 

Telephone 4031 7179 or 1800 650 931 to book an appointment in Mareeba.

 

ATHERTON

 

·        At Atherton.

·        On the first Friday of every month.

 

Telephone 4031 7179 or 1800 650 931 to book an appointment in Atherton.

 

INNISFAIL

 

·        At Innisfail.

·        On the second Wednesday of every month.

 

Telephone 4031 7179 or 1800 650 931 to book an appointment in Innisfail.

 

Telephone advice and support may also be provided (where appropriate) to senior’s, their carers (or service workers) who live outside of Cairns.

 

How do you access the Seniors Legal and Support Service?

Simply contact the SLASS.  Please note assistance is by appointment only.

 

 

What if the Seniors Legal and Support Service cannot assist you?

Sometimes people contact the SLASS for advice or assistance which the SLASS is unable to provide.  In such cases the SLASS will do its best to provide an appropriate referral.

 

Updated: November 2010

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