Our dedicated team of Melbourne family violence lawyers are here to provide you with expert legal advice and support in all matters related to family violence. Whether you are seeking protection from violence or need assistance responding to an intervention order, we’re committed to helping you through the legal process with care and compassion.
With extensive experience in handling family violence cases, we provide strong legal representation and strategic advice to help you achieve a safe and fair outcome. Our expert team is here to guide you through domestic violence matters, prioritising your personal safety and wellbeing.
We understand the sensitivity of family violence issues, and we strive to provide legal services at a reasonable cost. We are committed to delivering transparent pricing with no hidden fees, ensuring you receive comprehensive support and value for your legal needs.
Our team handles a wide range of family violence cases, including physical violence, emotional abuse, sexual violence, economic abuse and coercive control. We assist individuals experiencing family violence, offering clear guidance aligned with the Family Violence Protection Act 2008, intervention orders and family law proceedings.
At Tonkin Legal, we specialise in providing expert legal support for individuals facing family violence across Melbourne. With years of experience in handling sensitive family violence cases, our dedicated team of lawyers offers compassionate guidance and strong representation to ensure your safety and well-being.
Whether you need assistance applying for an intervention order, addressing family law matters affected by family violence or responding to family violence charges, you can trust us to handle your case with the utmost care and attention. We are committed to securing the protection and fair outcome you deserve, as well as providing you with peace of mind throughout the legal process.
Family Lawyer, Cassandra Rush, explains what family violence is, the different definitions and dynamics, and most importantly, how to get help.
At Tonkin Legal, we understand the emotional and legal challenges of family and domestic violence matters. Our team of experienced domestic violence lawyers in Melbourne offers compassionate support and will protect your rights and safety.
Whether you need help with family violence orders, intervention orders or family law proceedings, we provide expert advice and dedicated legal representation. We are committed to managing your case with empathy, integrity and a focus on achieving the best possible outcome for you and your family.
Our goal is to protect victims of family violence and help them gain the necessary legal protection through intervention orders or domestic violence orders. We ensure that family members facing threats of violence are supported through the legal system.
We understand that dealing with domestic violence can be overwhelming, and seeking legal advice is essential to protect your personal safety. Our team of family violence lawyers in Melbourne is dedicated to helping clients who are experiencing family violence or need assistance with related legal matters.
Family law matters impacted by violence can be distressing and complicated. Our experienced family violence lawyers are committed to helping you understand your legal options to protect your safety while also addressing any concurrent family law or child protection matters.
We offer sensitive and practical guidance through the legal aspects, ensuring a fair resolution and that your voice is heard. Whether it’s addressing abusive behaviour or securing your future after a relationship ends, we’re here to help you achieve the best possible outcome in your family law matter.
Our family violence lawyers have extensive experience handling domestic and family violence cases and offer practical, compassionate support to ensure you and your family’s safety. Whether you need to apply for an intervention order or create parenting arrangements that ensure your safety, we will guide you every step of the way.
We can also assist in negotiations with your current or former partner or co-parent if they have committed family violence and you are attempting to resolve divorce or separation matters. If you have been accused of family violence offences and need to respond to an order, we can also assist you in doing so while ensuring you are clear about your legal responsibilities related to a Family Violence Safety Notice, Interim Intervention Order or Family Violence Intervention Order.
We offer expert advice on your legal rights and options in cases of family violence, helping you understand the best course of action to protect yourself and your family.
Our experienced lawyers provide expert legal representation in both the Magistrates and Family Courts for family violence and domestic violence matters. We guide you through court proceedings, ensuring your safety and rights are protected.
Our team assists in applying for intervention orders to ensure your safety. We guide you through the legal process to obtain protection and security from perpetrators of family violence.
We provide support to address parenting arrangements when affected by domestic violence, prioritising the safety and wellbeing of both parents and children in these sensitive situations.
We offer legal assistance for child protection issues, ensuring that children are safe from harm and guiding you through the process of addressing concerns raised by family violence.
We assist in securing urgent recovery orders to ensure the swift return of children to a safe environment. Our team works quickly to protect children from potential harm and ensure their wellbeing in family violence situations.
We provide advice and support on how to legally address coercive control, a form of psychological abuse, ensuring you understand your rights and options in these situations.
We support clients in securing fair property settlements during or after a domestic violence situation, ensuring that your safety and legal entitlements are prioritised in the process.
If an intervention order is breached, our team helps you manage the legal response, ensuring your safety and working with authorities to address any violations of the order.
We help create personalised safety plans to protect you and your children from further harm, ensuring that you have practical strategies in place for your immediate protection.
We assist in responding to intervention orders, offering legal representation and guidance for those facing an intervention order, and ensuring fair treatment throughout the process.
We understand the sensitive nature of family violence matters and offer practical, confidential legal advice. If you need legal assistance regarding domestic violence, family violence offences, or family violence intervention orders, our expert team is here to help.
PARTNER – Accredited Specialist in Family Law
St John Heath is a Partner at Tonkin Legal Group and a leading Family Lawyer in Victoria.
Accredited Specialist in Family Law
Richard Tonkin is a Consultant Lawyer and one of Victoria’s most experienced and respected Family Lawyers.
The Family Violence Protection Act 2008 is a key piece of legislation in Victoria designed to prevent and address family violence. It provides a framework for obtaining Family Violence Intervention Orders (FVIOs) and outlines the legal rights of affected family members. The Act seeks to protect victims of family violence, including physical, emotional, and economic abuse and helps to ensure their safety and wellbeing. You can read more about domestic and family violence in our recent article, which was designed to help you understand your rights and responsibilities under Australian law.
An ‘affected family member’ refers to a person who has been impacted by family violence. This can include a partner or family member who has experienced harm, fear, or control through violence or abuse. The term is used to describe those who may need legal protection, such as through intervention orders, to ensure their safety from violent or threatening conduct by a person accused of family violence.
Coercive control refers to a pattern of controlling and manipulative behaviours by a partner or family member designed to dominate and isolate the victim. It can include psychological, emotional, or financial abuse. This type of abuse may not involve physical violence but creates an ongoing sense of fear and dependence, affecting the victim’s autonomy and mental health. It is a form of domestic violence recognised under Victorian law.
A Family Violence Intervention Order (FVIO) is a court-issued order designed to safeguard an individual from ongoing harm due to family violence. This order, granted by the Magistrates Court, sets conditions to prevent further abuse or threats, ensuring the affected family member’s protection and safety.
The order prohibits the person accused of family violence from engaging in specific actions, such as contact or violence. It can also include conditions such as staying away from the family home. FVIOs are designed to ensure the safety of individuals who experience family violence or fear for their safety.
A Personal Safety Intervention Order (PSIO) is a legal order that provides protection to individuals who are at risk of harm but do not fall under the family violence criteria. It can be applied for in situations involving threats, stalking, harassment, or violence from a person who is not a family member or partner. PSIOs are intended to address personal safety concerns and are issued by the Magistrates Court or a local court.
Intervention orders differ across Australian states and territories, although they share similar objectives of protecting individuals from violence or threats. More so, since 2017, the National Domestic Violence Order Scheme has registered all orders in each state and territory Australia-wide. While each jurisdiction has its own laws, the general process of applying for orders and the conditions attached are broadly aligned.
A Family Violence Safety Notice is a short-term order issued by police in Victoria to provide immediate protection to someone experiencing family violence. It is typically issued before a Family Violence Intervention Order is granted. The notice can prohibit the accused from contacting or approaching the affected family member and is intended to offer immediate relief and protection while further legal proceedings take place. If you want to understand more about how they work, please get in touch with our family and domestic violence lawyers, Melbourne today.
To apply for a family violence order, the affected family member or their legal representative must attend the Magistrates Court and file an application. The application outlines the need for protection due to family violence, with supporting evidence such as statements or police reports. A court date will be set to determine whether an order is granted. Legal assistance may be required to manage the process and attend court hearings. You can read about the process for applying for an intervention order here.
If a Family Violence Intervention Order (FVIO) or any other intervention order is made against you, it is essential to carefully read the order and comply with its conditions. Violating the order can lead to criminal charges. If you disagree with the order, you may choose to attend court and present your case or seek legal advice from criminal lawyers. Pleading guilty to breaching the order can result in serious consequences, including criminal charges and a criminal record.
An intervention order itself is not a criminal offence; rather, it is a legal protective measure to prevent harm. However, breaching the conditions of an intervention order, such as contacting or approaching the affected family member, is a criminal offence. Violating an order can lead to criminal charges and potentially a conviction, with serious consequences, including fines or imprisonment, depending on the nature of the breach. For guidance tailored to your situation, speak with one of our Melbourne Family Violence Lawyers to understand your legal options.
Tonkin Law is committed to protecting the privacy of our clients. Our team uphold the highest protection policies to minimise risk. Read more about our policy here.
Contact us today on (03) 9435 9044
8-10 Flintoff Street
Greensborough
VIC 3088
Email: mail@tonkinlaw.com
Fax (03) 9435 2452
PO Box 241, Greensborough VIC 3088DX98803 Greensborough