Abuse and family violence
Family violence (or domestic violence) is a serious matter affecting many lives directly and indirectly. It can harm adults, young people and children physically and emotionally, now and in the future. Abuse in families and relationships is not normal, in fact, it is a crime.
Family violence occurs when a person uses violent and/or abusive behaviour to control someone with whom they have some type of ‘family relationship’. This includes step children and adopted children, defacto couples, gay and lesbian couples who live together and the extended family (relatives) of those couples.
No one should have to cope with family violence alone. You may, of course, choose to approach friends or other family members, or a community group for support and assistance. There are also many professionals available to help people who have experienced family violence. In the ACT, our police officers have been specifically trained to investigate family violence.
There are a number of things that police can do to assist those who have experienced abuse or those who use violence, for example:
- investigate whether a criminal offence has been committed and if so, they may charge the offender
- obtain an Emergency Protection Order from the court on behalf of a person, either to prevent family violence from occurring, or to protect a person from further harm, and
- referral to support agencies such as the Domestic Violence Crisis Service and other service agencies.
You may also access the report on the Analysis of Family Violence Incidents July 2003 - June 2004 (PDF, 290kB).
This report presents the results from the analysis of all incidents recorded in 2003-04 on the AFP Family Violence Intervention Program (FVIP) database, maintained by the Australian Federal Police in the ACT.
Who can help you
Reporting family violence can be a difficult process with many influences impacting on this decision. It is important to remember a victim cannot make the decision to ‘press charges’. This decision is made by investigating police based on the evidence available to them. It is made with the safety and protection of the victim (and their family) in mind.
Once police charge an offender and refer the case to DPP, the decision to proceed with the charge/s rests with the DPP. You should be aware that family violence charges are treated differently within the criminal justice system. All family violence charges before the court are identified early and fast tracked in a special court. This is done with the aim of reducing the stress and concerns of both parties and the family. When the matter proceeds through court, the focus is on offender accountability and appropriate interventions to ensure victim safety and satisfaction.
Victims should consider a safety plan, which is a personal strategy to help keep them safe. Advice about safety plans is available from the Domestic Violence Crisis Service (DVCS). DVCS is a non government crisis support agency that provides 24 hour, 7 day week assistance to all people affected by family violence. DVCS provides direct crisis intervention and telephone support, access to safe accommodation, court support to people who have been subjected to family violence, referrals and information for women, men and young people.
The Legal Aid Office (ACT) Domestic Violence & Protection Order Unit may arrange free legal advice and duty lawyer representation for people who need a Domestic Violence Order or Personal Protection Order from the court.
Contacts
| Crisis intervention, support, accommodation, information | Domestic Violence Service (DVCS) | Ph: (02) 6280 0900 (24 hours) |
| Free legal advice, DVOs | Legal Aid Office (ACT Domestic Violence & Protection Order Unit |
Ph: (02) 6217 4299 |
| Victims of crime - police assistance (ACT only) | Victim Liaison Officer, City Police Station London Circuit, Canberra City ACT 2601 | Ph: (02) 6245 7441 for appointment Email Victims liaison |
| Domestic Violence Crisis Service | Ph: (02) 6280 0900 (Crisis Service) www.dvcs.org.au |