Compassionate Domestic Violence Lawyer in Melbourne
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence in any form, there are a number of services that you can reach out to. Seeking legal advice can be one step that you take in responding to your situation. The family law specialists at Robert Wood Associates can help you to examine your options and protect your family.
Understanding Domestic Violence
Domestic violence is about more than physical threat and can include psychological and economic abuse among other things. Research from various parties has shown that violence in a relationship causes 66 percent of marital breakdowns and that women face a higher risk to their safety during separation. Domestic violence can happen to anyone, and under Victorian law it includes acts that are:
- Controlling and domineering in a way that causes a person to fear for their own safety or that of another person
- Abusive or threatening – encompassing physical, sexual, emotional, psychological and economical abuse and threats
Examples of Emotional or Psychological Abuse
Emotional or psychological harm can often be more difficult to identify and spot than abuse of a physical nature. There are many examples of these types of abuse though, and they may include:
- Repeatedly contacting a person
- Preventing a person from maintaining or making personal connections
- Following a person in public
Taking Action Under the Law
Family intervention orders are one way that you act to prevent domestic violence. Known as an AVO, you can apply for one of these interventions against someone if:
- You share a domestic or personal relationship with them
- They have, or are alleged to have been violent, threatening or intimidating against you
If you believe that you or someone you know is in immediate danger, please contact your local police station.
If you would like further advice about your legal options, you can contact Robert Wood and Associates. We are lawyers in Melbourne who specialise in family and criminal matters. We can assist you whether you have an enquiry or would just like someone to talk to. You can reach us on 9762 3877 or visit our office in Boronia.
