Family Violence

Family violence can occur between partners, ex-partners, parents and children, siblings or between other parties who are living together or who are in a family relationship. Family violence can consist of physical violence or sexual violence. It can also consist of subtler forms of abuse, such as economic, emotional or psychological abuse or coercive control.

When family violence occurs, criminal charges will often be laid. It is also common for the police or the victim to apply for a Family Violence Intervention Order. A Family Violence Intervention Order (FVIO) is a court order that restricts the defendant from doing certain things, such as contacting their victim or harrassing or abusing their victim. The court will make an FVIO if it is satisifed that it is necessary to do so to ensure the safety of the person, the safety of their child or in order to protect property.

Family violence may also result in a claim for victims of crime assistance and in parenting proceedings.  

This section deals with family violence in Victoria.