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Family violence – SA

Family violence is also known as domestic violence. Family violence involves:

  • physical violence
  • threats
  • stalking
  • damaging property
  • any other behaviour that reasonably causes you significant fear.

You can take action to stop family violence. If you have experienced family violence call the police on 131 444.

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 a restraining order on your behalf.

Do not be afraid to call the police to protect yourself or your children. There are police units trained to handle family violence. If your local police are not helpful ask to speak to an officer from the police, child and family investigation unit as soon as possible.

You can also get support from a domestic violence service. See ‘Services that can help’ (link below).

Court orders

If you have experienced family violence or someone is:

  • threatening you
  • coming to your home without you asking them to
  • doing things that scare you

ask your local police to apply for a restraining order from the Magistrates Court. You do not have to show you have been physically hurt before you can get help.

A family violence restraining order can stop a person from:

  • coming to certain places – even if this is a house they own or where you work
  • coming within a set distance of a family member
  • damaging or taking personal property
  • contacting, harassing, threatening or intimidating a family member.

The court can order the return of property a victim needs, or allow use of the property at certain times.

When taking out a restraining order, make sure the magistrate knows about any family law court orders that you have, such as a parenting order. The Legal Services Commission (link below) produces a pamphlet about restraining orders.

You can apply to the family law courts for an injunction for personal protection as part of a family law case.

More information

Getting legal help

Parenting orders & family violence

Services that can help

Victims of crime – SA

Related publications

How to run your family law case

You and family law: a short guide

Related websites

Legal Services Commission (new window)