Getting help

Apply to a magistrates court or a police station for a protection order to try to stop the violence. The court will make the order if the magistrate is convinced that there has been violence and it is likely to occur again.

If you are the person applying for the protection order to stop threats or acts of domestic violence, you are referred to as the aggrieved.

The person the domestic violence application or order is made against is called the respondent.

Protection orders

A protection order tells the respondent (the person whom you are taking the order out against) that violence will not be tolerated. It lays down rules and conditions that the respondent must obey. From the day a protection order is made, the respondent must be well behaved towards you and towards anyone else named in the order, for example, your children.

A protection order makes it illegal for the respondent to own a weapon or hold a weapons licence.

The court may also include other conditions in the order. Ask your lawyer or the social worker or police officer on the case about what other options there are.

The order can remain in force for up to two years, and you can apply to have the court extend it if necessary.

DV Connect telephone help line

Ring 1800 811 811 (for the cost of a local call) and speak to the staff at DV Connect. They provide information and referral services for anyone involved in domestic violence. These services are free, state-wide and confidential.