Family violence and protection orders
If you are experiencing family violence, your safety comes first. We give you clear, calm advice on protection orders and on how family violence affects parenting and property arrangements.
Start with a free 20-minute discovery call. Meetings across Australia, in person or online.
Family violence takes many forms, and it is not always physical. If something feels wrong, you deserve to be heard and to understand your options.
Family violence includes physical harm, threats, emotional and psychological abuse, financial control, isolation from family and friends, and patterns of coercive control.
We help people seeking protection and people responding to applications, and we coordinate with specialist support services so you have help beyond the legal process.
Support beyond the legal process
Legal protection is only one part of feeling safe again. Recovery takes time, and support for you and your children matters.
Where it would help, we coordinate support through Florens Psychology & Wellbeing and connect you with specialist family violence services. If you are in immediate danger, call 000. For confidential advice and support, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732.
Florens Psychology & WellbeingHow we can assist
Whether you need protection, have been served with an application or are worried about your children, we help you understand your options and act quickly.
Protection orders
Applying for an order under state or territory law to protect you and your children.
Learn moreResponding to an application
Advice and representation if an application has been made against you.
Parenting and safety
Parenting arrangements that keep children safe, including supervised time where needed.
Learn moreUrgent court orders
Urgent applications where children are at risk or have been taken.
Property and financial abuse
How family violence and financial control affect a property settlement.
Learn moreCoercive control
Advice on patterns of controlling behaviour and how the law responds.
Safety in the court process
Arranging separate waiting areas, remote attendance and protection from direct cross-examination.
Varying orders
Changing protection orders or parenting orders when circumstances change.
Protection orders have different names in each state and territory, such as a protection order in Queensland and an apprehended domestic violence order in New South Wales. We advise on the system that applies to you.
How protection orders work
The process varies between states and territories, but generally follows these steps.
Call 1300 739 954Make sure you are safe
If you are in immediate danger, call 000. Police can apply for an order and, in urgent situations, issue temporary protection.
Get advice
We help you understand your options, gather evidence and decide on the best approach, including how it affects any family law matter.
Apply for an order
An application can be made by police, by you, or by someone on your behalf, through the local Magistrates or Local Court.
Temporary protection
The court can make a temporary order quickly, which lasts until the application is decided.
The final order
The court decides whether to make a final order and what conditions it includes. The other party can agree to an order without admitting the allegations.
Family law arrangements
We make sure parenting and property arrangements are consistent with any protection order, and that the family law court is told about it.
“Highly recommend. From our very first discussion I felt supported and confident in the firm’s ability. The experience and commitment throughout this very stressful process was amazing. Everything was explained clearly and handled with respect.”
Worried about your safety or your children’s?
Talk to us confidentially. If you are in immediate danger, call 000.
How family violence affects family law
Family violence is taken seriously at every stage of the family law process.
Parenting
The safety of children and their carers is the first consideration in deciding parenting arrangements.
Property
The economic effect of family violence on a party is considered in property settlements.
Process
Exceptions to mediation, risk screening and protections in court help keep you safe throughout.
Coercive control is now a criminal offence in Queensland and New South Wales.
Common questions about family violence and protection orders
What counts as family violence?
Family violence is violent, threatening or other behaviour that coerces or controls a family member or causes them to be fearful. It includes physical and sexual abuse, emotional and psychological abuse, financial abuse, isolation and coercive control.
Do I need evidence to apply for a protection order?
Your own account is evidence. Other material, such as messages, photographs, medical records and witness statements, can help. We can help you gather and present it.
Will a protection order affect parenting arrangements?
It can. Family law orders and protection orders should be consistent, and the family law court must be told about any protection order. Safety is the first consideration in any parenting decision.
Do I have to attend mediation with the other party?
Not where there has been family violence or there is a risk of it. Exceptions to the mediation requirement apply, and mediation can be adapted if you choose to try it.
What if an application has been made against me?
Get advice before the first court date. You can consent to an order without admitting the allegations, or contest it. An order can affect parenting arrangements, employment and firearms licences.
Where can I get help right now?
If you are in immediate danger, call 000. For confidential support, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732, available 24 hours a day.
What does it cost?
Your first step is a free 20-minute discovery call, where we listen, explain your options and outline what working with us could look like. If you go ahead, we explain costs clearly at the outset.
This is general information, not legal advice for your situation.
You do not have to work this out alone.
When you are ready, we invite you to start with a confidential conversation. Contact us from a phone or device you know is safe. If you are in immediate danger, call 000.
