Domestic Violence Lawyers Gold Coast

If you’re experiencing domestic and family violence in Queensland, please reach out to our team. If you need urgent assistance or are at any risk of immediate harm, there are many places you can seek help from, including:

• Queensland Police – 000
• 1800 Respect (1800 737 732) https://www.1800respect.org.au/
• The Domestic Violence Prevention Centre Gold Coast https://qdvsn.com/dvpc-gold-coast/
• You may also be able to access Legal Aid if you are managing a Family Violence situation.

Different organisations will be able to provide various types of support and offer assistance for victims of physical, sexual, emotional or psychological abuse, as well as coercive control, providing practical help and guidance to ensure safety and potential legal recourse.

In Queensland, you can apply for an Intervention Order, which is also known as a Domestic Violence Protection Order (DVPO), to protect yourself from domestic violence or abuse.

• Contact the Police: If you’re in immediate danger, call the Queensland Police on 000. They can assist you in seeking protection and provide support. Police may also choose to put an interim order in place if they feel someone is at risk of harm from domestic violence.
• Apply at the Magistrates Court: You can apply for a DVPO at your local Magistrates Court. The court staff can help you with the necessary paperwork and guide you through the process.
• Attend a Court Hearing: After you apply for a DVPO, the court will schedule a hearing where you’ll have the opportunity to present your case. The respondent (the person you’re seeking protection from) will also have a chance to respond.
• Obtain Legal Assistance: Consider seeking legal advice or representation to protect your interests during court proceedings. Legal Aid Queensland and other legal support services can provide guidance.
• Attend Counseling or Mediation (if required): The court may require both parties to attend counselling or mediation sessions to resolve the issues if this is possible.
• Receive the DVPO: If the court grants the DVPO, it will outline the conditions and restrictions imposed on the respondent to protect you and any children involved.
• Enforce the Order: If the respondent breaches the DVPO, you should report it to the police immediately. Breaching a DVPO is a criminal offence in Queensland.

Remember, if you’re in immediate danger, prioritise your safety by contacting the police or seeking emergency accommodation.

If served with a Protection Order in Queensland, seek legal help. As the respondent, failure to comply with Domestic Violence Orders is a criminal offence. Consult with support services and legal aid organisations for guidance on Magistrates Court proceedings and your rights within family relationships.

Do not attempt to contact the person named in the order, as any communication, even text messages, will be seen as Breaching a DVPO, which is a serious offence under Queensland legislation, carrying legal consequences to prevent further harm or escalation of violence.

If you are in a family relationship with the person ( or previously were), and your children are involved, do not attempt any contact with the victim or children involved. Even if there are previous court orders for parenting, it’s essential to get legal advice and act per the Protection Order to prevent a breach.

Domestic Violence Protection Orders (DVPOs) in Queensland aim to safeguard victims from various forms of abuse, including emotional, psychological, and economic abuse. They’re issued by the Magistrates Court to protect victims and their children, ensuring their safety from threatening behaviour or harm.

Support services assist victims in obtaining DVPOs and accessing necessary resources for protection and support.

In different Australian states, protection orders, or intervention orders, may be referred to by other names:

• Queensland: Domestic Violence Protection Orders (DVPOs)
• New South Wales: Apprehended Domestic Violence Orders (ADVOs)
• Victoria: Intervention Orders (IVO) (An FVIO is a Family Violence Intervention Order)
• South Australia: Intervention Orders (IOs)
• Western Australia: Violence Restraining Orders (VROs)
• Tasmania: Family Violence Orders (FVOs)
• Northern Territory: Domestic Violence Orders (DVOs)
• Australian Capital Territory (ACT): Domestic Violence Orders (DVOs)

Each state and territory has its own legislation and terminology regarding orders aimed at protecting victims of domestic violence.

Previously, this type of order has been known by other common names in Australia, including:

• Domestic Violence Orders (DVOs)
• Restraining Orders
• Protection Orders
• Apprehended Domestic Violence Orders (ADVOs)
• Apprehended Violence Orders (AVOs)
• Intervention Orders
• Family Violence Orders (FVOs)
• Violence Restraining Orders (VROs)