Domestic Violence & AVO Lawyers Sydney

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Family violence can be hitting or threats. It can also be controlling money, checking your phone, cutting you off from friends and family, or making you afraid of what will happen if you do not do as you are told. Many people experiencing it are told, or tell themselves, that it is not serious enough to matter.

It does matter. It affects your safety, arrangements for your children and, since June 2025, how property is divided. You are entitled to advice about all of it.

Apprehended violence orders
In NSW, protection is available under the Crimes (Domestic and Personal Violence) Act 2007 (NSW). Police can apply for an apprehended domestic violence order, and often do after an incident; you can also apply yourself at a Local Court. Orders can prohibit contact, approaching you or your home or workplace, and other conduct. Interim orders can be made quickly, and breaches are criminal offences.

Coercive control
Since 1 July 2024, abusive behaviour towards a current or former intimate partner that is intended to coerce or control them is a criminal offence in NSW.

Family law
Under the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth), family violence includes violent, threatening or other behaviour that coerces or controls a family member or causes them to be fearful, including economic and financial abuse. It affects family law matters in several ways:

• Parenting
  Safety is the first best-interests factor. A Notice of Risk is filed with every parenting application. Family dispute resolution may not be required. Interim orders can restrict or supervise time.
• Property
  The economic effect of family violence is expressly relevant to contributions and to future circumstances.
• Injunctions
  The family courts can make orders for personal protection and for the protection of property, alongside or instead of an AVO.

We listen first. We will not push you to take steps you are not ready for. We help you understand your options (an AVO, urgent family law orders, safe arrangements for the children, financial support) and we work with police, support services and counsellors where that helps.

If an AVO has been sought against you, we give frank advice on how to respond, recognising the effect that decision will have on any family law proceedings.

When you are ready, we move to the longer-term issues: parenting arrangements, property settlement and, where needed, proceedings in the Family Court.