Violence Restraining Orders

Overview:

An act of family and domestic violence can include assaults, injuries, threats, stalking, damaging property (including harming pets), and acting in an ongoing intimidating, offensive, or emotionally abusive manner.

A violence restraining order is a type of restraining order that applies when:

• Someone has committed or threatened to commit an act of personal violence against you, or
  

• Someone you are in a domestic/familial relationship with commits an act of family and domestic violence against you- this means if your partner, ex-partner or a family member is either emotionally, physically, sexually or psychology abusive towards you, it is family and domestic violence.

If you are experiencing family or domestic violence, you can apply to have a violence restraining order (VRO) taken out against the offender. Essentially, a VRO is an order issued by the court, telling the offender to stay away from you and stop committing acts of domestic or family violence. It is a criminal offence to breach a VRO and the offender could be fined up to $6,000 or be imprisoned for up to two years.

More Information:

Court Processes:

For information regarding the court processes involved in obtaining a restraining order and information on varying, cancelling, extending or appealing restraining orders, visit the Legal Aid website.

Applying for a VRO:

To download a VRO application form or various fact sheets on restraining orders, visit the Magistrates Court's website.

Reporting:

For  information about the police response to family violence, see here.

Support Services:

• Family Violence Service - provides info and support in regards to FDV including safety planning, assistance with court-related documents, applying for VROs, in court support, etc

• Domestic Violence Advocacy and Support Central- access to advocacy, legal and DCP services

• Multicultural Women's Advocacy Service- FDV related support and services for women from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds 

• Sexual Assault Resource Centre- emergency service offering assistance and support to any person, female or male, aged 13 years and over who has experienced any form of unwanted sexual contact or behaviour in the last 2 weeks. A free counselling service is also available (during business hours) to people who have experienced sexual assault or sexual abuse in the past (more than 2 weeks ago)

• Family Relationships Advice Line- a national telephone service established to assist families affected by relationship or separation issues

• Women's Council for Domestic and Family Violence Services- state-wide peak organisation committed to improving the status of women and children in society

• Connect Groups- online directory of Support Groups 

• Kids Helpline

• Womens Domestic Violence Helpline on (08) 9223 1188 or 1800 007 339

• Domestic Violence Children's Counselling Service on (08) 9328 1888 from 9.00am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday- offers counselling for children and their families experiencing family and domestic violence

Legal Assistance

If you are seeking legal advice or representation, you should check out the Law Society's website.

There are also some specific community legal centres (CLCs) that assist with domestic and family violence issues:

• Albany CLC
• Bunbury CLC
• Fremantle CLC
• Geraldton Resource Centre
• Goldfields CLC
• Gosnells CLC
• Kimberly CLS
• Marniwarntikurra FVPLS
• MIDLAS
• Northern Suburbs CLC
• Peel CLS
• Pilbara CLS
• SCALES CLC (Rockingham)
• Sussex Street CLS
• Wheatbelt CLC