Useful information

What is family violence?

Family and domestic violence is any violent, threatening, coercive or controlling behaviour that occurs in current or past family, domestic or intimate relationships. If a child witnesses abusive behaviour or is exposed to the impacts of this, they are a victim of family violence in their own right. 

 

Family violence can be:

  • limiting your control of money, e.g. by giving you a spending allowance or stopping you from working.
  • threatening to hurt your family, friends, pets or themselves.
  • threatening to tell others about your sexuality or personal information.
  • checking to see what you’re doing all of the time.
  • physically hurting you, breaking objects or using force to scare you.
  • putting you down, calling you names, making you feel worthless.
  • criticising or controling decisions you make.
  • threatening to cancel your visa.
  • stopping you from seeing other people or connecting to culture.
  • wanting to access your personal messages, phone or social media.

Family violence intervention orders

A Family Violence Intervention Order (FVIO) can help protect you and your family from a family member who is violent to you.

Separation and Divorce

Legal information about separating from your partner or getting a divorce.

Property Settlement

Legal information about dividing things you own and things you owe money on when you and your partner separate.   

Children and Family Law

Legal information about making parenting arrangements for children after a separation or divorce.

Visas and family violence​

What to do if you are experiencing family violence while on a partner visa, temporary visa or if you do not have a visa.

Victims of Crime

Information about the rights of people who have suffered physical or emotional injury, or financial loss because of a crime. 

Further and better particulars

Information about how to write Further and Better Particulars.

Going to court

Information about going to court for a Family Violence Intervention Order (FVIO) hearing.

We are currently not accepting online enquires

If you need urgent assistance, please call us on 1800 133 302.

 

You can also contact Victoria Legal Aid for legal support or Safe Steps for family violence support. 

 

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We are currently not accepting online enquiries

Please call us during business hours on 1800 133 302 if you:

  • need urgent one-off family law or family violence advice.
  • are on a temporary or no visa and need migration advice.

 

If you have a matter at the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia you can contact the Family Advocacy and Support Service on (03) 8610 9803 to get assistance from a duty lawyer.

 

If you have a Family Violence Intervention Order matter you can contact your local Magistrates Court to get assistance from a duty lawyer.

You can also contact Victoria Legal Aid on 1300 792 387 for legal support or Safe Steps on 1800 015 188 for family violence support.

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Our office is closed

We will reopen at 9am Monday 8 January 2024.

 

You can contact Victoria Legal Aid for legal support or Safe Steps for family violence support. 

 

Our duty lawyer services will continue during this period. Please contact your local court if you need legal help at court.

 

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