What is a Family Violence Intervention Order
An Intervention Order is a legally enforceable document that aims to provide protection for people experiencing family violence.
If you are experiencing family violence, an Intervention Order is meant to provide personal safety for you, your children and your property. It can place numerous conditions upon the person committing family violence. The Court calls the ‘Respondent’. The conditions include forcing the respondent to stop the violent behaviour, or stop them from coming anywhere near you or your family.
An Order can also place conditions that stop the respondent from contacting you in any way. This includes stopping the Respondent from getting another person to contact you for them. Conditions can also ensure the Respondent goes to counselling, and that any firearms licences are taken away.
It is important to know that an Intervention Order will not mean the Respondent gets a criminal record or conviction. This is true even if the police apply for an intervention order. However, a criminal offence to break the conditions of a family violence Intervention Order.
This website provides information such as how to obtain an Intervention Order, the kinds of Intervention Orders available, how to respond to an Order, the forms that must be completed, and what happens in Court. If you are unsure if an Intervention Order is the best approach for you, you can contact a Court Support Worker for further information.
It is a legally enforceable document that aims to provide protection from family violence.
If you are experiencing family violence, an Intervention Order is intended to provide personal safety for you, your children and your property. It can place numerous conditions upon the person committing family violence – whom the Court calls the ‘Respondent’ – including forcing them to stop the behaviour, or from coming anywhere near you or your family.
An Order can also prevent you being contacted in any way, or another person doing what the Respondent cannot do as a result of the Order. It can also ensure that their firearm licenses are suspended or cancelled.
An Intervention Order is a civil matter between parties. This means a person can apply for an Intervention Order against another without police involvement. An Intervention Order will not result in the Respondent receiving a criminal record or conviction. This is true even if the police apply for an Intervention Order. Respondents, however, can be charged with criminal offences if they break a Family Violence Intervention Order’s conditions.
If you are unsure whether an Intervention Order is the right choice in your circumstances, speak to a Court Support Worker or a support agency such as Safe Steps, 1800RESPECT or Men’s Referral Service, or you can speak to a lawyer who can explain other options available to you.
