Family Violence

Family Violence is a broad term used to describe a variety of coercive, controlling and abusive behavior that occurs between intimate partners and/or other family members. The Family Law Courts have special procedures to identify and manage matters where family Violence is present to ensure that vulnerable parties are protected during any Court proceedings. We also screen all new clients to identify any Family Violence. This ensures our advice about substantive legal issues, and the options we recommend for resolving any dispute is appropriate.

FAQs

If you fear for your safety, or that of a child because of your partner's behaviour or threats that are made, you should speak to the Domestic Violence Liaison Officer (DVLO) at your closest Police Local Area Command. For non-urgent complaints, the Police telephone number in New South Wales is 13 14 44. if you are in imminent danger, then you should call "000".

There are also may community organisations who can assist and support victims of Family Violence. If Family Violence is a factor in your Family Law matter, or allegations of Family Violence have been raised in connection with your Family Law dispute, we will provide you with further information as appropriate.

It depends on which Court makes the Order An Order for personal protection made by a State Court is also called an "Apprehended Violence Order", or an "Apprehended Domestic Violence Order" ( if between parties in a close personal relationship).

An order made by one of the Family Law Courts about Family Violence, for example, an Order restraining a party from approaching another party, is also a personal protection order, but the factors that the Family Law Courts take into account when deciding to make the Order are different from those the State Courts consider.

Yes. However, there may be circumstances where it is more practical for Orders about personal protection to be made by approaching NSW Police, or making a private application to a State Court.