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Family relationships are complex and challenging. Sometimes they lead to arguments and you react in a way that may be considered violent or aggressive. This may result in police involvement and domestic violence charges. Domestic violence and family violence offences are serious and complex criminal offences. Domestic violence refers to the violent behaviour between current or former intimate partners while family violence refers to the violent behaviour between members of the broader family unit.
Have you been charged with domestic violence offence?
If you have been charged with domestic violence and family violence offences, you should seek legal advice ASAP from one of our expert lawyers. Contact our office for a free initial consultation.
For a long time, the Australian legal system viewed domestic abuse as a private family matter. However, criminology studies and media reports have shown that cases of domestic violence and family violence have increased, especially the prevalence of intimate partner violence resulting in death. This has lead to an increase in advocacy and legal services as well as the implementation of a number of key law reforms addressing both violence against women and the criminal justice response to these offences by the NSW government.
Speak to a lawyer today
If you have been charged with domestic violence contact our expert Sydney criminal defence team today.
Consequences of domestic and family violence convictions on other areas of your life
Domestic violence and family violence charges are serious as they can have a significant impact on other areas of your life. For example:
- Family law proceedings. When family law proceedings are initiated, a Notice of Risk must be filed with the Family Court as part of the application for Parenting Orders. This requires parties to state whether there has been any incidence of family violence that may place children at risk.
Accusations of family violence may also interfere with your ability to participate in family law mediation and may result in as 60I certificate being issued. The mediator is responsible for decision-making around the appropriateness of mediation where domestic violence has been alleged. The failure to report domestic violence incidents is not enough proof that the alleged domestic violence incidents took place.
For further information about family law, please click on the family law link above.
Care and protection (child protection) matters may result in your children being taken into care. A police officer is a mandatory reporter. When they attend a family violence incident where children are present, they are required to report the matter to the Department of Communities and Justice (previously known as FaCS) who will investigate whether child abuse is involved, making it a child protection issue. Child protection matters are dealt with separately and are heard in the Children’s Court.
Ability to travel overseas. People with criminal convictions and/or AVOs will be denied a visa to travel to countries such as the United States of America. Overseas immigration authorities are responsible for decision-making about your visa application.
Employment (criminal record checks and working with children checks). Domestic violence and family violence offences where children are involved will prevent you from receiving or maintaining a Working With Children Check. If you require a firearms licence as part of your employment, a conviction of a domestic violence offence and/or an AVO will require an automatic suspension of the licence for a period of 10 years.
Living arrangements. A provisional AVO, bail conditions or court order may order you to not reside at your normal place of residence. This means that you will have to find somewhere else to live. If you have property that you need to collect, it is advised that you DO NOT attempt to retrieve it. Instead, you should apply to the court for a Property Recovery Order. For more information about applying for a Property Recovery Order, contact our office for expert advice.
In a nutshell...
Child abuse matters are also referred to as a care and protection matter. It can be reported at any stage by anyone. The court has a legal obligation to refer any allegations of child abuse to the Department of Communities and Justice for investigation. If you have been accused of child abuse or have concerns about your child’s safety, it is important you receive legal help. Contact our family violence lawyers for a free and confidential initial consultation.
Legal response to domestic violence and family violence
In Australia, the legal system and its response to domestic violence and family violence is complex, with both state and Commonwealth legislation involvement.
In New South Wales, domestic violence and family violence are dealt with under the Crimes Act and the Crimes (Domestic and Personal Violence) Act.
The Commonwealth provides protection under the Criminal Code where offences have been committed using a carriage service. For example, wire, cable, Internet, Intranet, telephone, SMS, etc.
Domestic violence involves both the criminal justice system and civil justice system.
- The criminal justice system deals with criminal charges for domestic offences. The prosecution must prove the alleged offences beyond a reasonable doubt.
- The civil justice system deals with AVOs (civil protection orders) put in place to protect a victim from harm. AVOs can be applied for by the police or an individual. It must be proved on the balance of probabilities that an offence likely took place and the person in need of protection (PINOP) is in fear of harm.
- Criminal charges can be dealt with at the same time as an AVO as part of the same proceedings.
What should I do if I have been charged with a domestic violence offence?
Domestic violence offences are serious offences. The seriousness of your offence and a good legal representative can be the difference between a fine and imprisonment – gaol. Courts treat domestic violence as a very serious offence and therefore it is critical that you understand the possibility that you could go to gaol for this type of offence.
In a nutshell...
A conviction for a domestic violence offence can result in imprisonment, significant fines or both. An ADVO is not a criminal conviction, however, it can significantly impact other areas of your life such as employment. Even if the court acquits you of domestic violence charges, it may still impose an ADVO. It is essential you get help ASAP. Contact our office for a free initial consultation.
What is domestic violence?
In NSW, the Crimes (Domestic and Personal Violence) Act defines domestic violence and family violence as:
An offence committed by a person against another person with whom the person who commits the offence has (or has had) a domestic relationship being –
- a personal violence offence; or
- an offence (other than a personal violence offence) that arises from substantially the same circumstances as those from which a personal violence offence has arisen; or
- an offence (other than a personal violence offence) the commission of which is intended to coerce or control the person against whom it is committed or to cause that person to be intimidated or fearful (or both)
Put simply, domestic violence and family violence is the enforcement of power and control over a person you are in a domestic relationship with. This is achieved through many forms of abusive and violent behaviours.
Domestic relationships
A person has a domestic relationship with another person if the person:
- Is or has been married to the other person; or
- Is or has been a de facto partner of the other person; or
- Has or has had an intimate relationship with the other person, whether or not the intimate relationship involved or has involved a relationship of a sexual nature. An example would be someone you have met on an online dating site; or
- Is living or has lived in the same household as the other person. An example would be a roommate; or
- Is living or has lived in the same residential facility as the other person and at the same time as the other person (not a correctional centre or detention centre). An example would be a nursing home; or
- Has or has had a relationship involving his/her dependence on the ongoing paid or unpaid care of the other person. An example would be a home care nurse; or
- Is or has been a family member of the other person. This includes mother, father, child, sibling, cousin, stepparents, stepchildren, step-siblings, nephew, niece, current or ex aunt or uncle, etc; or
- In the case of an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, is or has been part of the extended family or kin of the other person according to the Indigenous kinship system of the person’s culture.
Examples of violence and abusive behaviour
Domestic violence isn’t just about causing physical injury. It takes many different forms:
- Physical violence
- Sexual violence
- Psychological abuse
- Financial Abuse
- Social Abuse
- Stalking
- Cultural/spiritual abuse
- Verbal abuse
- Technology-assisted abuse
Coercive control or intimate terrorism is currently being debated and the Attorney-General has recently announced new laws are set to be introduced in NSW criminalising it. The Coercive Control Discussion Paper defines it as a repeated pattern of abusive behaviour which can be physical, sexual, psychological, emotional or financial abuse to another of their autonomy and independence.
Due to the impact domestic violence can have on a victim’s mental health, battered women syndrome has become a recognised psychological condition. This mental health condition has been associated with women killing their family member. For further information about murder or manslaughter, click on the criminal law link above.
Domestic Violence Offences
Some common domestic violence and family violence offences are outlined below. For information about assault-related offences (common assault, assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH) and assault occasioning grievous bodily harm (GBH), click on the criminal law link at the top of the page.
Domestic Violence Court process
The prosecution has the decision-making power to determine which court your matter will be heard in if you have been charged with an offence. Most domestic violence and family violence charges will be dealt with in the Local Court, however, more serious offences involving significant physical injury or death may be dealt with in the District Court or Supreme Court. If your matter is heard by the Local Court, a jury will not be present.
The following is the Local Court process:
Domestic Violence Sentencing Options available to Local Court
Imprisonment is a last resort. The Local Court has a number of sentencing options available before it considers a sentence of imprisonment.
Domestic Violence Sentencing Options available to Local Court
Imprisonment is a last resort. The Local Court has a number of sentencing options available before it considers a sentence of imprisonment.
Domestic violence law reform
The NSW Attorney General Mark Speakman recently announced new changes to domestic violence legislation. The amendments are yet to be passed through Parliament, but if they are, they will:
- Extend AVOs for up to two years after the end of a custodial sentence imposed by the court. This means that an AVO won’t expire while you are in prison
- Include a mandatory order on AVOs protecting animals
- Allow victims to give evidence via video link instead of in person if you are unrepresented in court
- New jury directions educating jurors on why victims delay or fail to report domestic violence
Disclaimer
The above is general legal information and should not be considered legal advice. You should speak with one of our domestic violence lawyers for legal advice tailored to your specific legal matter. The courts deal with matters on a case by case basis.
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FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions.
If you have experienced domestic violence, it is important to report your experience to the police. They may be able to charge the other person with domestic violence offences or assist you in applying for an Apprehended Domestic Violence Order. If you have reported your experience to police and they have not been able to assist you, contact our office for a free initial consultation. We may be able to assist you to make an application to the Local Court for an Apprehended Domestic Domestic Violence Order.
You can access social service providers such as:
1800RESPECT (1800 737 732) for free 24-hour sexual assault and family violence counselling
1800 019 123 a dedicated contact line for Aboriginal victims of crime
ACON an LGBTI health organisation where you can access information, referrals, counselling and advocacy for family violence
DVNSW an online referral service for assistance with housing, counselling, etc
Mensline is a telephone and online counselling service for men across Australia.
In 2015 The Council of Australian Government (COAG), introduced the National Recognition of Domestic Violence Orders. All Australian states and territories have agreed to share information about and enforce interstate Domestic Violence Orders and some international Domestic Violence Orders.
Domestic Violence Orders that were issued after 25 November 2017 are automatically recognised by the equivalent Department of Justice in each state. For Domestic Violence Orders that were made before that date, you will need to register the order in the Local Court. You can contact our office for further information about how to register your interstate Domestic Violence Order issued before 25 November 2017.
In NSW, all Domestic Violence Orders Australia wide are recognised and enforceable. This also includes any amendments that have been made to the order. For example, if you breach a Domestic Violence Order issued by the Magistrates Court in Brisbane, Queensland (Qld) while you are in NSW, you will be prosecuted as if the order had been breached in Qld. Likewise if you breach a NSW Domestic Violence Order issued by a NSW court, it is enforceable in Queensland under the states Domestic and Family Violence Protection Act.
If you have experienced domestic violence, it is important to report your experience to the police. They may be able to charge the other person with domestic violence offences or assist you in applying for an Apprehended Domestic Violence Order. If you have reported your experience to police and they have not been able to assist you, contact our office for a free initial consultation. We may be able to assist you to make an application to the Local Court for an Apprehended Domestic Domestic Violence Order.
You can access social service providers such as:
- 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732) for free 24 hour sexual assault and family violence counselling
- 1800 019 123 a dedicated contact line for Aboriginal victims of crime
- ACON an LGBTI health organisation where you can access information, referrals, counselling and advocacy for family violence
- DVNSW an online referral service for assistance with housing, counselling, etc.
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