It is common for victims of family violence to seek legal advice thinking that family violence is limited to assaults and other physical crimes. The definition of Family Violence under the Family Law Act has been extended to include;
(a) an assault; or
(b) a sexual assault or other sexually abusive behaviour; or
(c) stalking; or
(d) repeated derogatory taunts; or
(e) intentionally damaging or destroying property; or
(f) intentionally causing death or injury to an animal; or
(g) unreasonably denying the family member the financial autonomy that he or she would otherwise have had; or
(h) unreasonably withholding financial support
(i) preventing the family member from making or keeping connections with his or her family, friends or culture; or
(j) unlawfully depriving the family member, or any member of the family member’s family, of his or her liberty.
Many clients we meet have unwittingly been subjected to years of controlling behaviour and do not appreciate that they have been subjected to family violence. This usually has an impact on the willingness of the client to engage with the other person. Typically, the perpetrator of family violence seeks to intimidate the other person into not taking any action.
If you or someone you know has been subjected to family violence please contact our team at Meehans Solicitors today on 4627 3333 for a highly confidential appointment.
This article was published on 20/09/22 and the information is valid only to the date of publishing. This article should be considered merely general and non-specific on the subject matter and is not and should not be considered or relied on as legal, advice. Meehans Solicitors is not responsible in the event this information is relied upon by the reader in the absence of specific legal advice.