Roots of Change is a storytelling platform dedicated to the Alumni community of The Funding Network Australia. Here we share their stories of ingenuity, courage, determination, spirit, growth and the impact these grassroots organisations have had, as a direct result of funds and support received from The Funding Network community.

Flemington Kensington Community Legal Centre

Flemington Kensington Community Legal Centre

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Providing services for newly arrived migrants with a focus on policing, discrimination and human rights. 

The Flemington Kensington Community Legal Centre provides services for newly arrived migrants with a focus on policing, discrimination and human rights. Its specific fundraising objective at our TFN event is to address problems that arise from police racial profiling. It intends hosting a series of “Know your rights/Tell your story” workshops to empower young Indigenous people and migrants to share their experience, connect with others and ultimately build the case for policy reforms in Victoria.


2015 Pitch
Funds raised: $38,485

FKCLC presented the project at The Funding Network in Melbourne in October 2015 and raised $38,485, which has been supplemented by other donations to employ a Peer Advocacy Coordinator on a 12 month contract, 3 days a week. 

The impact...

In July 2015, an African family arrived at Flemington Kensington Community Legal Centre recalling how their two sons had left the family home one night, only to be set upon by police, thrown to the ground and handcuffed.  When the distressed family came out to see and ask what was going on, they were capsicum sprayed and left with no aftercare, then ignored at the police station when they visited to lodge a complaint. It turned out the police had mistaken the two young men for their neighbour (who was also African). 

This case is one of many FKCLC takes in. And too many more won't seek advice because they lack faith in the system or the prospect of obtaining justice or redress. 

But now the Police Accountability Project is reaching out to and supporting young people who have been impacted by discriminatory and unlawful police contact. Building the confidence to take action, to see redress via formal complaint and anti- discrimation mechanisms or collective advocacy, and ultimately enhance access to justice for their communities. 

Funding is also being made available to provide resourcing and honorariums to Peer Advocates who will commit to at least two events or activities as part of the team. Peer Advocacy teams have been trained and are preparing to host at least four 'Know Your Rights/ Tell Your Story: Say No to Racial Profiling' sessions across the state, educating and empowering approximately 50 Indigenous or recent migrant participants state-wide. 

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Read their Impact Report


Learn more about Flemington Kensington Community Legal Centre and the Police Accountability Project.

policeaccountability.org.au
communitylaw.org.au


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