Advocacy & Advice
Your safety and well-being are our priority, and we'll advocate for you, striving to secure the best possible outcome on your behalf.
Skilled Guidance & Representation
We provide compassionate legal advice and skilled representation, supporting our clients throughout the process.
Compassionate Legal Advice
You'll receive caring, expert legal advice from a team that recognises the challenges of family violence.
Our team of highly experienced and professional domestic and family violence lawyers service clients across Melbourne. We understand that navigating violence within close relationships can be emotionally devastating, and we know how important it is to choose a legal professional to work with who will handle your matter efficiently and with sensitivity.
Our expertise spans all types of family violence matters – from protection orders through to victims’ rights. We work with our clients to educate them on their options, guiding them through preparations for court proceedings or out-of-court settlements.
Our dedicated team of Melbourne lawyers adeptly guide victims and Survivors through legal proceedings and protection orders related to domestic and family violence. As specialists in domestic violence law, we guarantee exceptional advice on matters of safety, protection, and legal recourse.
Our expert support extends beyond getting a successful outcome with legal proceedings. We have a comprehensive understanding of family violence cases and can handle family violence orders, as well as concurrent matters such as divorce or separation. We will take your matter with the utmost sensitivity and work with you to achieve the best possible outcome for your case.
Navigating family violence situations is rarely straightforward, especially when compounded by ongoing safety concerns, conflicts, or the challenge of finding closure while ensuring protection. Emotions often run high when addressing safety matters, so we provide legal support to help you make decisions during such a challenging time.
As your committed domestic violence lawyer, we promise to provide comprehensive support, ensuring you feel fully supported throughout the legal process.
Rachel Storey was very helpful and understood my situation perfectly. Her comments and recommendations were pertinent, clear and concise. I felt very comfortable speaking about this difficult phase of my life and felt reassured by her professionalism and vast experience in this area of law.
Tom, Ex-Serviceman
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The Family Violence Protection Act defines family violence offences as any harmful behaviour or threat made towards a person’s partner or family member.
Domestic violence cases encompass a range of abusive behaviours that occur within intimate relationships. Our experienced team comprehensively addresses issues such as physical violence, emotional abuse, financial control, and threats within the domestic sphere. We understand the sensitivity required to approach these cases, recognising the need for swift and effective legal action to protect victims and the accused.
Family violence can take many forms, including:
In Australia, family and domestic violence is not a criminal offence on its own in many instances. Family violence offences can lead to family violence charges at times if an interim order or protective order is breached or a criminal offence occurs. This can result in a prison sentence or community correction order.
Committing family violence can carry a penalty of up to 3 years in prison. If an offender is a repeat offender and has previously breached domestic violence orders or committed violent crimes, imprisonment of 5 or more years can result.
People with records of family or domestic violence, whether committed here or in another country, may also result in criminal charges that affect your visa or travel options on the grounds of character.
A Family Violence Intervention Order is a legal order designed to protect individuals from family violence. Our lawyers can guide you through the process, and you can also apply directly to the court or speak to the police in an emergency. An interim intervention order can be made before a court date for immediate legal protection. If your children are also at risk of harm, they can be added to protective court orders as an affected family member.
Personal Safety Orders can also be made if the person accused of abusive or harmful behaviour is not family or your partner.
Family violence significantly influences decisions on parenting and property matters post-divorce, with courts prioritising the safety and well-being of all parties involved in legal proceedings. Parenting matters can be further complicated if one party has been accused of family violence, or is found guilty of family or domestic violence.
If you feel that a Family Violence Intervention Order (FVIO) has been wrongly imposed; legal processes can be initiated to challenge or remove the order, ensuring fair treatment. Pleading guilty to a family violence charge can have serious consequences, and breaching an intervention order can lead to imprisonment, so you must manage the situation appropriately.
Do not contact or harass the person named on the Intervention Order. It may be your current or ex-partner, family member, and possibly your children living in the family home. Still, it’s vital to take the correct course of legal action and get advice from a family violence lawyer. Communicating with the affected family member can lead to a criminal charge if you are found guilty of breaching an order.
If you are in immediate danger, call emergency services at 000.
For support, referrals and information, contact 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732) – a national sexual assault, domestic, and family violence counselling service.
You can also seek advice from a family violence lawyer at our office. We can assist with intervention orders, court date representation, attending court on your behalf and ensuring parenting arrangements are made with the safety of family members as a priority.
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