Family Violence Intervention Orders: What Are They and When Are They Needed?
Someone needs to step in when family violence is taking place, especially if there are small children involved. Family violence occurs when an individual uses behavior on a partner or family member that makes them feel unsafe or controlled. So what can be done to prevent this violence from taking place?
What Family Violence Involves
Before you contact Pearsons Family Law to see if you have a case, here are some behaviors that can fall under the umbrella of family violence.
? Physical violence, such as choking, hitting, pulling, punching, or kicking
? Property damage, such as breaking a person’s property or belongings, both separate and jointly owned
? Sexual violence, such as pressuring someone to engage in sexual acts or watch pornography
? The use of threats to harm someone, children, or property
? Economic violence, such as controlling how someone spends their money
? Emotional, social, or psychological violence
? Coercing, terrorizing, or controlling an individual in other ways to get them to do what the controller wants
What Is A Family Violence Intervention Order?
This is a court order that is designed to protect an individual, their children, and their property from a family member, partner, or ex-partner. The person conducting the violence is ordered to stop doing so. It is also called a domestic violence order, apprehended violence order, intervention order, family violence order, or restraining order. It is a civil matter, but if the person who is the subject of the order continues to breach the terms, they can be charged with a criminal offense.
How Can A Family Violence Intervention Order Protect A Person?
An intervention order includes conditions that are designed to keep the petitioner, any other stated individuals, and property safe. Though each intervention order has different conditions, the most commons ones are:
? stop the behavior
? not contact or communicate with the protected person
? not publish anything on the internet, electronic communication (email), or other social media about the protected person
? not go to or stay near the protected person’s home, school, or workplace
? not get anyone else to do anything they are not allowed to do on the order
A violation of these conditions could result in the respondent facing jail time.
Getting Help To Get An Intervention Order
The best way to have an intervention order put into place is to contact a family violence practitioner. This is a court-based support worker who can speak with all of the affected parties and determine what conditions might be best to place in the order so that all individuals can be kept safe. Trying to navigate getting an intervention order on your own can be difficult since there are so many factors and legality to take into account.
If you are experiencing or you know someone who is experiencing family violence, then you should contact a family violence practitioner or registrar as soon as possible. They could help you to get an intervention order in place so that you can protect yourself, your children, and your property/belongings.
