Family violence – frequently asked questions

What belongings should I take when I leave a relationship?

If you leave the house you should take personal documents, for example, bank or cheque books, financial statements, tax returns, personal identification, passports, marriage certificate and any items that have sentimental value. You should also take things you need for yourself and the children, if they are going with you. You can legally take anything that you own yourself, or that you own together with another person.

Do not put yourself in danger by arguing over property or items if you are leaving a relationship. If you are scared of your partner’s reaction, you can ask that the police come with you. The police cannot support you taking particular items from the house. They can only stand by to make sure that there is no violence.

What if I have children?

You do not have to encourage your children to see or communicate with the other parent if you believe they are at risk of harm and you have strong reasons to support this.

The court will only order that the children do not spend time or communicate with the other parent in exceptional circumstances. This would be, for example, where the court considers the children to be at serious risk of physical or psychological harm. This does not happen very often.

If there are concerns about the children’s safety, they can spend time with a parent under supervision, for example at a friend or relative’s house or at a children’s contact service. Contact services are places where children can spend supervised time with the other parent. You can also use a contact service to drop off and pick up the children if you are worried about your own safety. You do not have to see the other parent when you do this.