Home > Legal issues > Relationship breakdown > Family violence > Family violence – NSW

Family violence – NSW

Family violence includes physical violence, threats, emotional and psychological abuse and damaging property. Violent behaviour is against the law and you can take action to stop it.

How the police can help

If there is family violence call the police on ‘000’.

The police have the power to:

  • arrest the offender
  • search for and remove weapons – if you tell them the offender has a gun they must remove it
  • charge the offender with a criminal offence
  • apply for an apprehended domestic violence order on your behalf.

Court orders

You can apply at a Local Court for an apprehended domestic violence order. An apprehended domestic violence order is a court order made by a magistrate under the NSW Crimes Act 1900. Its purpose is to protect you (and your children if you have them) from family violence.

You can apply for an urgent order or, in emergencies, the police can do this on your behalf. These orders are usually the cheapest and fastest to get.

You can apply to the Family Law Courts for an injunction as part of a family law case.

Booklets about apprehended violence orders are available on the Legal Aid NSW website (link below).

More information

Getting legal help

Parenting orders & family violence

Services that can help

Victims of crime – NSW

Related publications

How to run your family law case

You and family law: a short guide

Related websites

Legal Aid NSW (new window)