Safety at Home &
Family Law Issues

Family violence is any behaviour by a family member, partner, or ex-partner that makes you feel unsafe.

It includes physical violence, threats, controlling behaviour, emotional abuse, financial abuse, and damage to property.

It is against the law.

• You can apply for a Family Violence Intervention Order (FVIO) – a court order that can stop someone from contacting you, coming near you, or continuing abusive behaviour
• Police can apply on your behalf
• Breaching an intervention order is a criminal offence

Safety Notices

Police can apply for a Family Violence Safety Notice if someone needs immediate protection. The notice sets conditions the other person must follow — Breaching them is serious and police can arrest them.
Learn more at | 🌐 vic.gov.au/family-violence-safety-notices

For support contact

• The Orange Door | 📞 1800 312 820 | 🌐 orangedoor.vic.gov.au — Victoria’s specialist family violence and child wellbeing support service
• 🌈 Rainbow Door | 📞 1800 729 367 | 🌐 rainbowdoor.org.au — Support for LGBTIQA+ people 10-5pm every day
• Barwon Community Legal Service | 📞 1300 430 599 | 🌐 barwoncommunitylegal.org.au — FREE legal advice
• Victoria Legal Aid | 📞 1300 792 387 | 🌐 legalaid.vic.gov.au — FREE legal advice

There are two types of intervention orders in Victoria

1. Family Violence Intervention Order (FVIO):
   Protects you from a family member, partner, or ex-partner
   Made under the Family Violence Protection Act 2008 (Vic)
2. Personal Safety Intervention Order (PSIO):
   Protects you from someone who is not a family member – such as a neighbour, acquaintance, or stranger
   Made under the Personal Safety Intervention Orders Act 2010 (Vic)

Both types can include conditions preventing someone from contacting you, coming near your home or school, or behaving in ways that make you feel unsafe.

• Both can be applied for at your local Magistrates’ Court or Children’s Court
• Police can apply on your behalf
• Breaking either order is a criminal offence

For legal help with intervention orders contact

• Barwon Community Legal Service | 📞 1300 430 599 | (9am–5pm, Mon-Fri) – FREE legal advice
• Victoria Legal Aid | 📞 1300 792 387 | (9am–5pm, Mon-Fri) — FREE legal advice
• Safe Steps | 📞 1800 015 188 | (24/7) – Confidential, family violence crisis support

If an intervention order has been made against you (as a respondent)

If you are a young person and an intervention order has been taken out against you, it is important to understand what it means and get legal advice early.

• The order will set out conditions you must follow, such as not contacting a person, not going near their home or school, or not behaving in certain ways
• Read the conditions carefully
• Breaching the order is a criminal offence, even if the contact was agreed to by the other person
• The maximum penalty for breaching an FVIO or PSIO is 2 years imprisonment
• You have the right to attend court and have your say
• You can agree to the order (which does not mean admitting to anything) or contest it
• If you are under 18, intervention order matters are usually heard in the Children’s Court

Get legal advice as soon as possible — For FREE legal help with intervention orders contact:

• Barwon Community Legal Service | 📞 1300 430 599
• Victoria Legal Aid | 📞 1300 792 387
• Safe Steps | 📞 1800 015 188

Family law in Australia is governed by federal law and covers property and parenting arrangements for children.

It can be complex and confusing, especially for young people who are directly affected by it.

Family Law and Young People Project (FLYP)

Access link HERE: | 🌐 eclc.org.au/flyp

For FREE legal help contact:

• Barwon Community Legal Service | 📞 1300 430 599 | (9am–5pm, Mon-Fri) – FREE legal advice
• Victoria Legal Aid | 📞 1300 792 387 | (9am–5pm, Mon-Fri) — FREE legal advice
• Youthlaw | 📞 (03) 9113 9500 | (9am–5pm, Mon-Fri) — FREE legal advice for under 25s

Child Protection is a government service that steps in when a child or young person is at risk of significant harm from abuse or neglect.

If Child Protection is involved in your life, or you are worried about a child, legal help and support is available.

If you are worried about a child’s safety contact

• Child Protection during business hours (9am-5pm Mon-Fri) through The Orange Door at | 🌐 orangedoor.vic.gov.au or call | 📞 1800 312 820
• or Child Protection Emergency Service after-hours (5pm-9pm Mon-Fri and 24 hours on weekends and public holidays) on | 📞 13 12 78

Child protection orders exist to keep children safe

If you have questions about an order affecting you, a community legal centre can help you understand your rights and options.

Get FREE legal advice

• Barwon Community Legal Service | 📞 1300 430 599 | (9am–5pm, Mon-Fri) – FREE legal advice
• Victoria Legal Aid | 📞 1300 792 387 | (9am–5pm, Mon-Fri) — FREE legal advice
• Youthlaw | 📞 (03) 9113 9500 | (9am–5pm, Mon-Fri) — FREE legal advice for under 25s
• 🖤💛❤️ VALS (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) | 📞 1800 064 865

If you need urgent assistance or feel unsafe right now, call 000.

To report child abuse or significant wellbeing concerns, contact the regional Child Protection intake service during business hours, or the 24/7 crisis line after hours.

Child Protection (24/7 – after hours) | 📞 13 12 78
Child Protection (9-5, Mon-Fri) | 📞 1300 360 462

Legal advice: Do you think you may have a legal issue and would like advice? Free and confidential help is available.

Contact:

• Barwon Community Legal Service | 📞 1300 430 599 | 📱 Text 0487 182 273 | or click here to request an appointment online
• Victoria Legal Aid | 📞 1300 792 387 | 🌐 legalaid.vic.gov.au/contact-us | 💬 Webchat
• Youthlaw | 📞(03) 9113 9500 | 🌐 youthlaw.asn.au | ✉️ info@youthlaw.asn.au | Free legal advice for under 25s
• 🌈 Q+Law | 📞 (03) 9968 1002| 🌐 qlaw.org.au | Safe and affirming legal help for LGBTIQA+SB people in Victoria
• 🖤💛❤️ VALS | 📞 1800 064 865 | 🌐 vals.org.au | High quality, culturally safe legal assistance for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Victoria

More support for this topic:

• Safe Steps (24/7)| 📞 1800 015 188 | Confidential, family violence crisis support
• 1800RESPECT (24/7) | 📞 1800 737 732 | National family violence and sexual assault support
• The Orange Door (9-5 Mon-Fri)| 📞 1800 312 820 | Victoria’s specialist family violence and child wellbeing support service – find your nearest hub at | 🌐 orangedoor.vic.gov.au

More information on this topic:

Family Law and Young People Project (Eastern Community Legal Service) | 🌐 eclc.org.au/flyp

This is the best starting point if you need to understand family law as a young person.

If you need to speak to someone urgently please call:

• Lifeline (Free 24/7) | 📞 13 11 14 | 💬  Webchat | 📱 Text 0477 131 114
  Crisis support and suicide prevention

• Kids Helpline (Free 24/7) | 📞 1800 551 800 | 🌐 kidshelpline.com.au
  Counselling service for young people aged 5 to 25

• 🌈 Rainbow Door (10-5pm every day) | 📞 1800 729 367 | 📱 Text 0480 017 246 | 🌐 rainbowdoor.org.au 
  Free helpline and specialist support service for LGBTIQA+ Victorians, their friends and families

• 🖤💛❤️ 13YARN (Free 24/7) | 📞 13 92 76 | 🌐 13yarn.org.au
  Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander crisis support line developed and run by community in partnership with Lifeline

Other helpful resources:

• Ask Izzy | 🌐 askizzy.org.au
  FREE directory to find local housing, food, and support services near you

• Quick Help Guide (BAT Force) | 🌐 batforce.org.au/quick-help-guide
  A practical guide connecting you to support for food, housing, mental health, family violence, financial stress and tenancy

• YouthNav (Youth Central) | 🌐 youthcentral.vic.gov.au/youthnav
  A life skills and information hub for young people aged 12 to 25 that helps build knowledge, confidence, and independence into adulthood

Check out the videos, fact sheets and resources below for more information or try our Legal Health Check Here!