Protection against family violence

Family violence can be any of the following acts of abuse:

Physical Abuse

• Conduct or behaviour that causes or threatens to cause personal injury or physical pain to a person. 
• Threatens a person with death or injury of the person.
• Wrongfully confining or restraining a person against that person’s will. 

Sexual Abuse

• Conduct or behaviour that coerces, or attempts to coerce, a person to engage in sexual activity.

Emotional and Psychological Abuse

• Conduct or behaviour that torments, intimidates, harasses or distresses a person.
• Causes or may reasonably be expected to cause mental harm to a person, including thoughts or suicide or inflicting self-harm.

For applications made before 2 January 2025, Family violence can be any of the following acts by a family member:

• Willfully or knowingly placing (or attempt to place) a family member in fear of hurt.
• Causing hurt to a family member by an act that is known (or ought to have been known) will result in hurt.
• Wrongfully confining or restraining a family member against their will.
• Continual harassment with intent to cause (or knowing that it is likely to cause) anguish to a family member.
  

If you are experiencing family violence

Family violence is hurtful to the victims and the relationship between family members. If left unresolved, family violence may result in any of the following:

• Serious injuries.
• Mental stresses.
• Breakdown of families.

If any act of family violence is inflicted on you or your family members, you should:

• Seek immediate medical attention in the event you are hurt or injured.
• Contact the police or make a police report.
• Contact community agencies such as Family Service Centres (FSC) or Protection Specialist Centres (PSC) for help and support.