Domestic violence is defined in Queensland in the Domestic and Family Violence Protection Act 2012 as behaviour that is:
- physically or sexually abusive
- threatening
- coercive; or
- in any other way controls or dominates a person and causes them to fear for their safety or wellbeing or that of someone else.
Both parties must be in a ‘relevant relationship’ as defined in the Act.
Examples of Domestic Violence
The Domestic and Family Violence Protection Act 2012 (Qld) goes on to give examples of behaviour which would constitute domestic violence including (but not limited to) the following:
- causing or making threats of personal injury
- coercing or attempting to coerce a person to engage in sexual activity
- damaging or threatening to damage a person’s property
- depriving or threatening to deprive a person of their liberty; and
- threatening to commit suicide or self-harm so as to torment, intimidate or frighten the person to whom the behaviour is directed.
Domestic violence also includes behaviour which involves unlawfully stalking of a person. If you are concerned or have experienced that your former partner has unreasonably monitored or tracked your movements or who you have associated with without your s consent, you may be eligible to file an Application for a Protection Order.
The legislation and the Court aim to maximise the safety, protection and wellbeing of people who fear or experience domestic violence, including children.
If you or someone you know is experiencing or being exposed to domestic violence, or any of the behaviours listed above, please contact us to discuss how we can assist you to apply for a protection order. If the situation is urgent or life threatening please call the Police immediately on 000.
If you have been named as a Respondent to an Application for a Protection Order we recommend that you contact one of our family lawyers immediately as Protection Orders (also known as Domestic Violence Orders) may be made in your absence.