What is family violence?

Family violence is harmful behaviour within a family or intimate relationship. It can involve a current or former partner, relatives or someone treated as family, including some carers. It can happen without physical injury and may be one incident or repeated behaviour.

If anyone is in immediate danger, call 000.

Recognising family violence

• Physical or sexual abuse, threats and intimidation.
• Emotional or psychological abuse, including humiliation or making someone afraid.
• Economic or financial abuse, such as controlling access to money or preventing work.
• Coercive or controlling behaviour, including isolation, monitoring communications or restricting daily choices.

Children can be affected by seeing, hearing or being exposed to violence, including its aftermath. Their safety needs consideration even if the violence is not directed at them.

Safety and specialist support

Tell us how and when it is safe to contact you. If someone may monitor your phone or internet use, consider a safer device they cannot access.

• The Orange Door provides family violence and child and family support, including help for people using violence who want to change.
• Safe Steps offers statewide family violence crisis support, 24 hours a day.

Family violence intervention orders (FVIOs)

An FVIO is a Victorian court order protecting a person from family violence. It can also protect children. People seeking protection and people responding to an application can seek legal advice.

If the person is not a family member, a personal safety intervention order may be relevant.

• The applicant asks for the order. They may be the person seeking protection or a police officer.
• The respondent is the person the application is against. Receiving documents does not mean you have been convicted of a crime.
• Police can apply even if the affected family member does not want an order. Get advice about the application and proposed conditions.

Safety notices, interim and final orders

• A police family violence safety notice provides immediate, temporary protection before the court deals with the application.
• An interim order is a temporary court order while the matter is being decided.
• A final order sets conditions and its duration. Conditions can restrict contact, require someone to leave a home or protect children.

An FVIO is a civil order, not itself a criminal conviction. Breaching an order or safety notice can be a criminal offence. Read every condition and get advice promptly.

While waiting for court

• Follow any safety notice or order already in force, even if you disagree with it or plan to contest the application.
• A protected person cannot give permission to breach an order. Ask about the proper court process for changes.
• Take hearing dates seriously and seek advice before deciding how to respond.

Children and parenting arrangements

Intervention orders and parenting orders are legally separate but can affect each other. A magistrate may change or suspend parenting arrangements in some circumstances. Bring every relevant order and get advice about contact and handovers; do not assume one document overrides another.

Questions we can discuss

• Legal protection, safety concerns and related legal issues.
• Applying for an FVIO or responding to an application.
• What conditions, hearing documents and deadlines mean.
• Possible changes, extensions and specialist referrals.

How we may help

• Basic initial legal advice about family violence, including for FVIO applicants or respondents.
• Help understanding documents and available options.
• Referrals for legal advice and safety support.

What level of assistance can we offer?

Each matter is assessed for suitability, conflicts and available resources. An enquiry does not guarantee ongoing assistance or court representation.

Advice

Basic initial advice about the issue and next steps.

Referral

Information about another legal or support service.

Further assistance

A specific task or ongoing casework, decided case by case and subject to resources.

What we do not do

• Commercial or business matters.
• Conveyancing, real-estate transactions and property ownership disputes.
• Personal injury claims and WorkCover.

We do not assist with family property settlements. We do not provide emergency response or guarantee representation.

Prepare for your appointment

• Bring applications, notices, orders and hearing details.
• Tell us about urgent dates, children and related proceedings.
• Tell us a safe way to contact you and any interpreter or accessibility needs.

Talk to us

Request an appointment

Call 03 9646 6066, 0490 934 661 or 0440 131 920.
Email [email protected].

Further information

• Victoria Police: understanding family violence
• Safe Steps: technology and safety
• Magistrates’ Court: family violence intervention orders
• Victoria Police: safety notices and orders
• Victoria Legal Aid: children and intervention orders

General information only. Ask for advice about your circumstances. Reviewed September 2026.