Family Violence

Family violence can occur between partners, ex-partners, parents and children, siblings or between other persons who are living together or are in a family relationship. Family violence can be physical or sexual. 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 restraining order, which is a court order that restricts the defendant from doing certain things, such as contacting their victim or harassing or abusing their victim. The court will make an order if it is satisfied that it is necessary to do so to ensure the safety of the person or their children.

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

This section deals with family violence in Western Australia.