What is Family Violence?

Family violence is when someone close to you hurts you. Like your boyfriend, husband, father, mother or brother. The abuse can be:

Physical

This is when someone:

• Pushes you
• Punches or kicks you
• Slaps you
• Pulls your hair
• Chokes you
• Throws things at you

Sexual

This is when someone forces you to do something sexual that you don't want to, such as:

• Kisses or touches you
• Forces you to have sex with them
• Forces you to touch them
• Makes you watch pornography

Emotional

This is when you are afraid that a person might hurt you. Including when someone:

• Calls you names all the time
• Threatens to hurt you
• Frightens you
• Wrecks your things
• Doesn't let you go out with your friends
• Checks up on you all the time and follows you around

Financial

This is when your partner has control over your money and doesn't let you buy what you want.

HAVE ANY OF THESE THINGS HAPPENED TO YOU? IF SO YOU MAY NEED AN AVO!

Apprehended Violence Orders (AVO's)

What is an AVO?

If someone is hassling you, hurting you or making you scared you can apply for an Apprehended Violence Order (AVO) to protect yourself. An AVO is an order from the court telling someone not to do something like hurt you or follow you.

How do I get an AVO?

Tell the police or the Aboriginal Community Liaison Officer at the police station about the violence so that they can apply for an AVO on your behalf

If you are 16 or older you can:

See the person called the chamber magistrate at your nearest local court and make your own application for an AVO.

When does it start working?

An AVO starts to work when the other person is a given a copy of the AVO. This is called service and is done by the police.

Do I need a lawyer when I go to court?

If the police applied for the AVO on your behalf they will have someone to represent you. This person is called a prosecutor. Otherwise call one of the numbers below.

What happens once I have an AVO?

• Keep a copy of your AVO with you and give a copy to your school and/or your work.
• If the person whom you have the AVO against disobeys the AVO tell the police. This is called a breach and it is a crime.
• If things change or get better, you should get legal advice about whether you need to change the AVO to suit your new situation.

For further information about AVO's call:

Wirringa Baiya Aboriginal Women's Legal Centre

1800-686-587 (02)9569-3847

Domestic Violence Advocacy Service

1800-810-784

Legal Aid Hotline for Under 18's

1800-101-810

Disclaimer: The information contained on this Fact Sheet is only meant as a guide and cannot replace legal advice. If you have a legal problem you should speak to a lawyer for some legal advice. Wirringa Baiya Aboriginal Women's Legal Centre excludes liability for any loss suffered by any person which results from the use or reliance upon the information contained on this Fact Sheet.