On 1 May 2020, the NSW government relaxed the COVID-19 restrictions to allow 2 adults and their dependant children to visit another household. However, the rules clearly state that you must stay at home unless you are going to:
- Work
- School or an educational institution
- Shop for food or other goods and services
- Medical reasons or caring for others
- Exercise
As more people are forced to stay in their households, there has been a significant increase in domestic and family violence victims seeking urgent assistance according to the Sydney Morning Herald.
According to the article, figures from the State Government’s Victims Services program reveal that there has been an increase in victims turning to front-line workers for help. There has been a spike in both male and female victims seeking assistance and the NSW Government programs are not coping with the added increase in demand for assistance.
What is Domestic Violence?
Domestic Violence is a pattern of abusive behavior through which one person tries to control and dominate another person. It can be a single act or be ongoing conduct that undermines the victim’s confidence and ability to leave the abuser. The abusive conduct can be physical, social, spiritual, sexual, economic and examples include:
- isolating a victim from family and friends
- controlling their access to money
- diminishing their self-esteem
- preventing them from practicing their religious beliefs
- intimidating them, and
- threatening them.
Apprehended Domestic Violence Order (ADVO)
A victim experiencing any form of domestic violence can apply to the Local Court for an ADVO. An ADVO protects the victim by ordering the abuser to cease all further acts of domestic violence. All ADVO has the mandatory conditions, which states that the abuser must not:
- Assault or threaten the person in need of protection (PINOP) or any other person having a domestic relationship with the PINOP,
- Stalk, harass or intimidate the PINOP or any other person having a domestic relationship with the PINOP, and
- Intentionally, recklessly destroy or damage any property that belongs to or is in the possession of the PINOP or any other person having a domestic relationship with the PINOP.
In addition to the mandatory orders, the Courts can make orders about:
- Contacting the PINOP
- Family law and parenting matters
- Residence; and
- Ownership of weapons.
If there has been an ADVO application against you that you do not agree with, it is important to act fast as an ADVO can complicate matters when you apply for:
- Firearms licence
- Security licence
- Working with children’s check;
- Family Law proceedings; and
- Visa application.
If you are suffering domestic violence or have been accused of domestic violence, Pannu Lawyers can help. Pannu Lawyers regularly appear in various Local Courts for ADVO matters and have a proven track record in obtaining the best results for their clients. If you want quality legal representation at affordable prices, please call Pannu Lawyers on (02) 9920 1787.
