暴力抑制令（AVO、ADVO和FVO）

An AVO, or apprehended violence order, is an order made by the court to protect a person who is a victim from another person who has engaged in abusive conduct over time.

In NSW, AVOs are governed by the Crimes (Domestic and Personal Violence) Act 2007 (NSW).

Provisional AVOs are applied for by police officers and granted by the court or a senior officer if immediate protection is needed to ensure safety and/or prevent damage to property.

• Sometimes called ‘Telephone Interim Orders’ as they can be applied for by phone or online.
• Contains mandatory orders stating what the defendant can or cannot do.
• Lasts until revoked, replaced, or substantivized to an Interim or Final AVO.
• Automatically progresses to an Interim AVO after the first court mention.

Anyone served with an AVO, ADVO, or FVO must comply with its conditions. Under section 14 of the Crimes (Domestic and Personal Violence) Act 2007, breaching an order carries a maximum penalty of 2 years imprisonment.

An Interim AVO is a temporary order made by the court to provide protection.

• Remains in place until revoked, a Final AVO is made, or the application is withdrawn/dismissed.
• Progresses to a Final AVO if the defendant does not appear, the defence consents, or the applicant is successful.
• Withdrawn or dismissed Interim AVOs do not appear on a criminal record.

An Apprehended Domestic Violence Order (ADVO) protects a person from violence, stalking, intimidation, or harassment by someone they are, or were, in a “domestic relationship” with.

• Person protected: PINOP (Person in Need of Protection)
• Person the order is made against: Defendant

Defining Domestic Relationships

Under section 5(1) of the Crimes (Domestic and Personal Violence) Act 2007:

• Married or de facto partners, or intimate personal relationships
• People living in the same household or residential facility
• Dependence on ongoing care, relatives, or extended family under Indigenous kinship systems
• Section 5(2) also includes two persons who have each had a domestic relationship with the same third person

In the ACT, a Family Violence Order (FVO) is an order that prohibits a person from engaging in family violence against another person/s made by the Magistrates Court. Section 8 of the Family Violence Act 2016 defines family violence as any behaviour by a person towards a family member that may include:

• These behaviours put family members at risk of harm or fear and are recognised as serious offences under the Act.
• Physical or sexual abuse – causing harm or unwanted sexual contact
• Emotional or psychological abuse – threats, intimidation, or controlling behaviour
• Economic abuse – restricting access to money or property
• Damage to property or pets – to intimidate or control
• Use of technology – threatening messages, posting private images, or tracking movements
• Exposure of children to violence – children witnessing abuse or harm

These behaviours are recognised as forms of family violence because they endanger the safety, welfare, or wellbeing of family members and can cause long-term physical, emotional, or psychological harm.