Published 1 June 2025
About this fact sheet
This free fact sheet may help you understand:
- family violence
- family violence intervention orders
- how a lawyer can help you
- what might happen at court
- where you can get more information and help.
More information about how to get help in Arabic.
Important updates
Language phone lines
Our language phone lines have closed. You can phone us on 1300 792 387 and ask for an interpreter.
You can also phone the Translating and Interpreting Service on 131 450 and ask to speak to Victoria Legal Aid on 1300 792 387.
Misidentification
From 10 November 2026, new laws help prevent police and courts from mistakenly identifying someone as a respondent. This mistake is called misidentification of the predominant aggressor. It happens when police or courts incorrectly think a person experiencing family violence is responsible for the violence.
Get legal advice as soon as possible if you believe police mistakenly identified you as the respondent.
Definition of family violence
From 26 April 2026, the law recognises that family violence may involve a wider range of controlling and coercive behaviours. These include:
- stalking
- mistreating an animal
- systems abuse (using the courts, police or other agencies to harm, control or intimidate someone).
Counselling orders
Since early 2025, courts order more respondents to do counselling. If the court makes a final intervention order against you, you may need to do a counselling program. If you do not do the counselling, the police might charge you with a crime.
Updated