If you are in immediate danger, call 000 for emergency services.
For 24/7 confidential family violence support in Victoria, call Safe Steps on 1800 015 188. You can also call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 at any time, day or night.
At Empower Family Law & Mediation we understand that family violence can take many forms. We know the harm it causes, and we know how it can affect your ability to negotiate and to feel safe through separation.
Family violence is broader than physical abuse. Under the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth), the law that applies to your parenting and property matters, family violence means “violent, threatening or other behaviour by a person that coerces or controls a family member, or causes them to be fearful”. It can include physical or sexual violence, emotional or psychological abuse, coercive control, financial or economic abuse (such as being denied access to money, or having your ability to work or study controlled), stalking, and damaging property or harming pets.
A child who sees or hears family violence, or its effects, is also considered to have experienced family violence.
If you’re considering applying for, or you are responding to, a Family Violence Intervention Order, a related but separate definition applies under Victoria’s Family Violence Protection Act 2008. We can explain how the two processes work together.
Family violence is a widespread social problem. It affects people of all genders, sexualities, ethnicities, religions and socio-economic backgrounds, including people who may not think of what they’re experiencing as “family violence” at all.
At Empower Family Law & Mediation we can work with you and allied professionals to determine whether you are experiencing or perpetrating family violence and help you to safely determine the next steps.
Family violence often escalates around the time of separation, and the period immediately afterwards is widely recognised as a period of high-risk. If you’re worried about your safety, or a former partner’s behaviour has changed since you separated, we want to hear about it early so we can help you plan safely.
Family violence is directly relevant to both parenting and property matters, not just something to disclose in the background. In parenting matters, your child’s safety is central to how arrangements are decided. In property matters, since June 2025 the Court is required to consider the economic effect of family violence, including financial or economic abuse, on your contributions during the relationship and on your future financial circumstances.
At Empower Family Law & Mediation we make sure your experience of family violence is properly put during negotiations and, if necessary, to the Court.
We are experienced in family law matters where family violence has occurred, or where there is a risk it may occur. We have relationships with specialist family violence services who can support you alongside our legal advice, while we help you safely negotiate parenting and property arrangements.
If your matter needs to go to Court, we can help you access the Court’s Lighthouse Project — a screening and support program for parties at risk of family violence, which uses a confidential Family DOORS Triage questionnaire and can include referrals, safety planning, and access to safe rooms at Court. Higher-risk matters may also be case-managed through the Court’s specialist Evatt List
If you have been subject to family violence, or you are concerned that you may be at risk, contact us to discuss your options. Everything you tell us is confidential.
Phone: (03) 7020 6542
Email: [email protected]
If it isn’t safe to call or email from your current device, let us know the best and safest way to reach you when you do get in touch.
Let us be your voice in troubled times.
