What is domestic and family violence?

If you or your children are at risk of immediate harm, call the police. In an emergency, call 000. Get legal advice.

Everyone has the right to live without fear of violence or abuse.

Domestic and family violence services can help you work out a plan to leave the relationship safely.

You can also get help and support from domestic and family violence services:

 

When you need legal advice

Get legal advice if:

  • you or your children are at risk of domestic or family violence or abuse
  • you need help to work out a plan to leave a relationship safely
  • you want to apply for a domestic violence protection order
  • someone has applied for a domestic violence protection order against you
  • you have been issued with a police protection notice
  • police have made an application for a domestic violence protection order against you or your partner
  • you want to change a domestic violence protection order
  • you had to leave your home because of violence but your name is still on the lease
  • you had an order interstate or overseas and want to register it in Queensland
  • you have been asked to attend family dispute resolution but have concerns for your safety.

How to get legal advice  

Domestic and family violence behaviour 

Domestic violence behaviour includes when another person you're in a relationship with does any of the below.

This person:

  • is physically or sexually abusive
  • is emotionally or psychologically abusive
  • is financially abusive
  • threatens you
  • coerces you
  • control or dominates you and causes you to fear for your safety or wellbeing or that of someone else.

Examples of this behaviour include:

  • injuring you or threatening to injure you (g. punching, strangling, grabbing your throat, pushing, slapping, pulling your hair or twisting your arms)
  • repeatedly calling, texting or emailing you, or contacting you on your social networking site without your consent
  • damaging (or threatening to damage) your property (e.g. punching holes in the walls or breaking plates)
  • stalking or following you or remaining outside your house or place of work
  • monitoring you (unauthorised surveillance) including reading your text messages, your email account, your internet browser history or your social networking site
  • putting you down
  • making racial taunts
  • holding you against your will
  • forcing you to engage in sexual activities without your consent
  • getting someone else to injure, intimidate, harass or threaten you, or damage your property
  • threatening to commit suicide or self-harm to scare you
  • threatening you with the death or harm of another person
  • threatening to withdraw their care of you if you don’t do something
  • coercing you into giving them your social security payments
  • forcing you to sign a power of attorney to them against your will so they manage your finances
  • threatening to disclose your sexual orientation to your friends or family without your consent
  • preventing you from making or keeping connections with your family, friends or culture, including cultural or spiritual ceremonies or practices.

You don’t have to have been physically injured to have experienced domestic violence.

If you need help, call DV Connect on 1800 811 811, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

How can police help?

Police must investigate if they suspect there is domestic violence in a relationship. If they reasonably believe domestic violence has been committed, they can:

  • charge the respondent with a criminal offence (e.g. stalking, assault, grievous bodily harm)
  • issue a police protection notice—issued on the spot, protecting you straight away from any further domestic violence acts (it has the same effect as a court order until the matter is heard in court)
  • apply to a court for a domestic violence protection order for you
  • apply to a court to change an existing domestic violence protection order
  • take the respondent into custody—if the respondent is likely to injure someone or damage property
  • apply directly to a magistrate for an urgent temporary order.

Find out more

About domestic violence protection orders

How to apply for a domestic violence protection order

What to do if someone has taken out a domestic violence protection order against you

Dealing with children and domestic violence orders

How to get legal advice

We may give legal advice and help about domestic and family violence.  

 

Contact us

Other places to get legal advice:

Related information

Disclaimer: This content is for general purposes only and not legal advice. If you have a legal problem, please contact us or speak to a lawyer. View our full disclaimer.

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