Launch of Toolkit for Representing Pregnant Women and Mothers

On 14 September 2026, Green’s List member Dr Felicity Gerry KC joined the LACW launch of the Toolkit for Representing Pregnant Women and Mothers, a practical resource designed to support lawyers advocating for pregnant women and mothers involved in the Victorian criminal justice system.

Felicity wrote the Foreword to the Toolkit and, at the launch, spoke about the importance of moving beyond good intentions to practical advocacy that recognises the realities of pregnancy, motherhood and the interests of children.

The authors emphasised that women involved in the criminal legal system can face a cascade of decisions made without sufficient understanding of what is actually happening to them or to their children.

Felicity described the Toolkit as practical, evidence-based and, importantly, designed to be used.

“Lawyers need the confidence to ask difficult questions, challenge assumptions and put pregnancy, birth, motherhood and the rights of children squarely before the court,” she said.

Felicity also issued a direct call to the judiciary.

“Ask the questions too,” she urged. “Do not assume the system has already accounted for pregnancy, motherhood or the interests of the child. Demand the information . Test the alternatives. Make decisions that recognise the human reality.” Judges who attended appeared very interested and receptive 

The Toolkit provides practical guidance and resources to assist legal practitioners to identify and address issues affecting pregnant women and mothers, including the impact of criminal justice processes on women and their children. It creates capacity to translate principle into practice giving those appearing in court better tools to advocate for informed, humane outcomes.

You can read more here: 

https://lacw.com.au/toolkit/