Domestic Violence
Domestic Violence
Domestic violence is a widespread problem in the community.
What Is Domestic Violence?
Domestic violence is any of the following acts:
- willful injury;
- willful damage to another person’s property;
- intimidating or harassing behaviour towards another person;
- indecent behaviour towards another person without consent; or
- a threat to commit any of the above.
Protection orders
In Queensland, the domestic violence legislation covers the following relationships:
- family relationships;
- intimate personal relationships - where people are or were engaged to be married, or were previously dating and their lives have become enmeshed;
- informal care relationships; and
- marriage or de facto relationships.
All of these relationships are covered by the legislation whether the people are of the same or opposite sex.
Children under 18 years cannot seek a Protection Order or have an Order made against them in family relationships or in informal care relationships where the care involves a parent or relative.
A person who claims to be a victim of domestic violence can apply to the Court for a Protection Order
The police have power to take a person into custody for up to four hours if they suspect domestic violence has occurred or is occurring.
Even if the application is not made through the police, the police will serve the summons on the person suspected of domestic violence.
The terms of the Order may vary according to the circumstances of each case and what the Court thinks is appropriate in view of those circumstances.
These Orders can be extended to friends, relatives, and workmates of the victim.
Once a Protection Order is made it usually lasts for two years.
If you have moved to Queensland from interstate, you can have an interstate Protection Order registered here.