If you are in immediate danger, call 000. For 24-hour family violence support in Victoria, contact Safe Steps on 1800 015 188 or 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732.
Legal help with family and domestic violence
Family violence includes physical violence, but also threats, intimidation, emotional and psychological abuse, controlling or coercive behaviour, financial abuse, stalking and damage to property. It can happen between partners and former partners, and between other family members. Freadman Lawyers provides confidential, practical legal help – whether you need protection, or you have been served with an application or order.
Family violence intervention orders
A family violence intervention order is a court order made by the Magistrates’ Court of Victoria to protect a person from family violence. It can prohibit the other person from committing family violence, contacting you, coming near your home or work, or damaging your property, and can also protect children. You can apply yourself, or police can apply on your behalf. Where it is urgent, the court can make an interim order the same day, and police can issue a family violence safety notice that has immediate effect. Breaching an intervention order is a criminal offence.
If you need protection
- Advice on applying for an intervention order and what conditions to seek
- Preparing your application and supporting evidence
- Representation at court hearings
- Advice on how an order affects your children, your home and your family law matters
If an application has been made against you
If you have been served with an application, a safety notice or an interim order, get legal advice before your court date. You may be able to consent to an order without admitting the allegations, negotiate the conditions, or contest the application. You must comply with any order in place, even if you disagree with it. We explain your options and represent you at court.
Family violence and family law
Family violence is directly relevant to parenting and property matters. When making parenting orders, the court’s first priority is the safety of the children and the people caring for them. Family violence can also mean you do not need to attend mediation before going to court, and its economic effects can be taken into account in a property settlement. See our family law page.
Other protection
If the person is not a family member – for example a neighbour, colleague or stranger – a personal safety intervention order may be available instead. We can advise which order suits your situation.
Support services
- Emergency: 000
- Safe Steps (24/7 Victorian family violence response): 1800 015 188
- 1800RESPECT (24/7 national counselling): 1800 737 732
- Men’s Referral Service: 1300 766 491
Talk to us in confidence. Call 0439 048 741, email freadmanlaw@gmail.com or make an appointment for a free initial consultation.