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Family violence – Victoria
Violent behaviour is against the law and you can take action to stop it.
In Victoria, a family violence intervention order protects a person from a family member who is using family violence.
An order can also protect children, property or people supporting the protected person. A protected person is someone protected by an intervention order or a family violence safety notice. See 'Family violence intervention orders' (link below).
There are family violence services that can help you work out how to leave a violent relationship safely. See ‘Services that can help’ (link below).
Court orders
You can apply at a Victorian Magistrates’ Court for a family violence intervention order to protect you and/or your children from family violence. You will need to tell the court why you need protection. See ‘Intervention orders’ (link below).
If you are, or have been, married you can also apply to the Family Law Courts for an injunction as part of a family law case.
How the police can help
If there is violence or you have been threatened, get help from the police. The police have the power to:
- arrest the violent person
- search for and take any weapons – if you tell them the offender has a gun they must take it
- charge the violent person with a criminal offence
- make the violent person stay at a place, leave or stay with another person – if the person does not do this they can be held in custody by the police.
The police can also apply for a family violence safety notice or an intervention order for you. See 'What the police do about family violence' (link below).
More information
Family violence intervention orders
What the police do about family violence
Parenting orders & family violence
Related publications
How to run your family law case
Sexual assault: the law, your rights
You and family law: a short guide
How we can help
Call Victoria Legal Aid’s (VLA) Legal Information Service for free information over the phone about the law and how we can help you with your legal problem. You can speak to a legal information officer in English or ask for an interpreter.
Phone (03) 9269 0120 or 1800 677 402 (country callers), Monday to Friday from 8.45 am to 5.15 pm.
VLA’s other free legal services include:
- advice at VLA offices and other locations across Victoria
- lawyers who are on ‘duty’ to help at many courts and tribunals.
For some matters, we can provide you with a lawyer to help you run your case.
To find out more about any of our legal services see What we do.
Who else can help?
If you are in danger, call the police on ‘000’. The police can take weapons and lay criminal charges if you are assaulted, threatened or molested. They can also make an application for an intervention order on your behalf if they think it is necessary.
Aboriginal Family Violence Prevention & Legal Service (new window) provides free legal advice and counselling to victims of family violence and sexual assault, face-to-face or over the phone. Call (03) 9654 3111 or 1800 105 303 (toll free).
Your local community legal centre (CLC) can give you legal information and advice. Most CLC services are free. See the Community Law website (new window) for more information and CLC contact details.
Women's Legal Service Victoria (new window) (WLSV) is a statewide legal service for women, specialising in relationship breakdown and violence against women. WLSV provides face-to-face legal services, including court representation, telephone legal advice and referrals. Call (03) 9642 0877, TTY (03) 9642 0334 or 1800 133 302 (country callers).
Women’s Domestic Violence Crisis Service (new window) provides 24-hour crisis telephone support, information and referral to safe accommodation for women experiencing family violence. Call (03) 9373 0123 or 1800 015 188 (country callers).