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Protected people – frequently asked questions

This section is for people who are protected by intervention order.

Below are the answers to some common questions about living with an intervention order for protected people.

How does an intervention order protect me?
Who needs to know about the order?
Can the police help me if the respondent has to move out?
Can the police help me get my things from the house if I am leaving?
Can I go interstate and still be protected?

How does an intervention order protect me?

An intervention order starts working once the police serve (give) it to the respondent (person the order is against). See 'When an intervention order starts' (link below).

So does a family violence safety notice. A family violence safety notice protects an adult from a family member who is using family violence. See 'Family violence safety notices' (link below).

An intervention order is not just a piece of paper. If a respondent does not obey the conditions in the order they are breaking the law. See ‘Breaking an intervention order’ (link below).

Who needs to know about the order?

Carry your intervention order with you. Give a copy to the places where you and your children regularly go, such as school, kindergarten, childcare, or work. Then they can call the police if necessary.

Can the police help me if the respondent has to move out?

Yes. If the intervention order says that the respondent (the person the order is against) must move out – usually by a specific date – the police can help you. They cannot evict the respondent, but they can arrest the respondent for not obeying the conditions of your order. See ‘Breaking an intervention order’ (link below).

You can also arrange for the police at your home while the respondent collects their things if you are worried about:

  • your safety or the safety of your children
  • damage to your property.

Can the police help me get my things from the house if I am leaving?

Yes. You can get the police to go with you to get your personal things if you are leaving your house and you are worried about what the respondent might do. However, the police will be there to make sure that you are not threatened or assaulted, not to help you move your things.

Can I go interstate and still be protected?

If you travel or move interstate, you can register your intervention order with the courts there. This means that the police in that state must enforce the order and the respondent can be charged if they break the order in that state. Check with the local court about what to do.

More information

Breaking an intervention order

Family violence safety notices

When an intervention order starts

Related publications

Family violence intervention order publications

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’ at the Magistrates’ Courts who can give you advice on the day of your hearing.

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’.

Your local community legal centre (CLC) can give you legal information and advice. Most CLC services are free. See the Community Law website for more information and CLC contact details.

See Getting help – services for details of organisations that can help with family violence, family dispute resolution and other support services.