DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

Domestic Violence Legal Services on the Gold Coast and Northern NSW

UNDERSTANDING AND ADDRESSING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE: LEGAL SUPPORT ON THE GOLD COAST AND NORTHERN NSW

Domestic violence is a serious and widespread issue affecting individuals and families. It involves a range of abusive behaviours—not just physical violence—and can have devastating emotional, psychological, and financial consequences for victims. Understanding the various forms of abuse, the legal protections available, and the support services in place is essential for those experiencing domestic violence, as well as for those seeking to support them.

A brown book on a table with paper design of a family, color red

WHAT IS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE?

Domestic violence, also referred to as family violence, is a pattern of abusive behaviour used by one person to exert power and control over another within a close or family relationship. It is not limited to a single incident but often involves repeated behaviours that create an ongoing environment of fear, coercion, and intimidation.


Domestic violence can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender, sexual orientation, cultural background, or socioeconomic status and occurs in all communities across Australia. Recognising the warning signs and understanding that abuse can take many forms, including emotional, financial, and psychological, is critical to supporting those impacted and breaking the cycle of violence.

WHAT IS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE?

Domestic violence, also referred to as family violence, is a pattern of abusive behaviour used by one person to exert power and control over another within a close or family relationship. It is not limited to a single incident but often involves repeated behaviours that create an ongoing environment of fear, coercion, and intimidation.


Domestic violence can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender, sexual orientation, cultural background, or socioeconomic status and occurs in all communities across Australia. Recognising the warning signs and understanding that abuse can take many forms, including emotional, financial, and psychological, is critical to supporting those impacted and breaking the cycle of violence.

FORMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

Domestic violence takes many forms, including:

  • Physical Abuse: This involves any form of physical violence, such as hitting, slapping, kicking, pushing, shoving, biting, scratching, choking, or using weapons. It also includes depriving someone of basic needs like food, shelter, or sleep.
  • Emotional Abuse: This type of abuse aims to undermine a person's self-worth and sense of reality. It can include constant criticism, insults, name-calling, belittling, humiliation, threats, intimidation, isolation from family and friends, and controlling behaviour.
  • Verbal Abuse: This involves the use of words to hurt, demean, or control another person. It can include shouting, yelling, name-calling, insults, threats, and constant criticism.
  • Sexual Abuse: This encompasses any unwanted sexual contact, including forced sexual activity, sexual coercion, and sexual harassment. It also includes using sexually suggestive comments or gestures to intimidate or humiliate someone.
  • Economic Abuse: This involves controlling a person's finances, preventing them from working, or sabotaging their employment. It can also include withholding money for basic necessities or making financial decisions without the other person's input.
  • Social Abuse: This involves isolating the victim from their support network, such as family and friends. The abuser might monitor their social media, control who they see, or make it difficult for them to leave the house.
  • Technological Abuse: This is a newer form of abuse that involves using technology to harass, stalk, or control a partner. This can include sending abusive text messages, monitoring their online activity, or using GPS tracking to follow their movements.

THE IMPACT OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE


The impact of domestic violence can be profound and long-lasting. Victims may experience a range of physical, emotional, and psychological effects, including:

  • Physical Injuries: These can range from minor bruises and scratches to more serious injuries, such as broken bones, head injuries, and internal damage.
  • Emotional Trauma:  Domestic violence can lead to anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), low self-esteem, and feelings of helplessness and hopelessness.
  • Psychological Issues: Victims may experience difficulty sleeping, nightmares, flashbacks, and difficulty concentrating. They may also develop coping mechanisms that are harmful, such as substance abuse.
  • Financial Hardship: Economic abuse can leave victims financially dependent on their abuser, making it difficult to leave the relationship.
  • Social Isolation: Abusers often isolate their victims from family and friends, leaving them with limited support.

THE IMPACT OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE


The impact of domestic violence can be profound and long-lasting. Victims may experience a range of physical, emotional, and psychological effects, including:

  • Physical Injuries: These can range from minor bruises and scratches to more serious injuries, such as broken bones, head injuries, and internal damage.
  • Emotional Trauma:  Domestic violence can lead to anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), low self-esteem, and feelings of helplessness and hopelessness.
  • Psychological Issues: Victims may experience difficulty sleeping, nightmares, flashbacks, and difficulty concentrating. They may also develop coping mechanisms that are harmful, such as substance abuse.
  • Financial Hardship: Economic abuse can leave victims financially dependent on their abuser, making it difficult to leave the relationship.
  • Social Isolation: Abusers often isolate their victims from family and friends, leaving them with limited support.
A distressed woman holding her forehead.
Three people discussing on a table

HOW WE CAN HELP?


If you are experiencing domestic violence, it is crucial to seek help. There are legal services available on the Gold Coast and in Northern NSW that can provide support and guidance.


OUR KEY SERVICES:

  • Apprehended Violence Orders (AVOs)/Domestic Violence Orders (DVO): An AVO/DVO is a court order that protects a person from further violence or abuse. It sets out specific conditions that the abuser must follow, such as not contacting the protected person or not going to their home or workplace.
  • Family Law Matters: Domestic violence often occurs in the context of family relationships. Family lawyers can help with matters such as child custody, property settlement, and divorce.
  • Criminal Charges: In some cases, domestic violence may involve criminal offences. Victims can report the abuse to the police, and the abuser may be charged with assault, harassment, or other offences.

THE ESCAPING VIOLENCE PAYMENT (EVP)


The Australian government recognises the financial difficulties faced by those escaping domestic violence. The Escaping Violence Payment (EVP) is a one-off payment of up to $5,000 available to eligible individuals. This payment can help with immediate needs like:

  • Cash for urgent expenses ($1,500)
  • Rent and rental bond
  • School fees
  • Other essential items


ELIGIBILITY FOR THE EVP


To be eligible for the EVP, you must meet certain criteria, including:

  • Being an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or holder of a protected special category visa.
  • Living in Australia.
  • Being over 18 years of age.
  • Having experienced a change in living circumstances due to domestic violence within the last 12 weeks, or having a plan to change them.
  • Experiencing financial hardship as a result of the change.
  • Not having received the EVP within the past 12 months.
A distressed man holding his forehead

THE ESCAPING VIOLENCE PAYMENT (EVP)


The Australian government recognises the financial difficulties faced by those escaping domestic violence. The Escaping Violence Payment (EVP) is a one-off payment of up to $5,000 available to eligible individuals. This payment can help with immediate needs like:

  • Cash for urgent expenses ($1,500)
  • Rent and rental bond
  • School fees
  • Other essential items


ELIGIBILITY FOR THE EVP


To be eligible for the EVP, you must meet certain criteria, including:

  • Being an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or holder of a protected special category visa.
  • Living in Australia.
  • Being over 18 years of age.
  • Having experienced a change in living circumstances due to domestic violence within the last 12 weeks, or having a plan to change them.
  • Experiencing financial hardship as a result of the change.
  • Not having received the EVP within the past 12 months.
A brown book on a table with this remark on: Domestic Violence Law

PROVING ELIGIBILITY FOR THE EVP

You will need to provide evidence of domestic violence, such as:

  • A police report
  • An Apprehended Violence Order (AVO)
  • A court order
  • A referral from a domestic violence service provider


ACCESSING THE EVP


You can apply for the EVP through UnitingCare Australia. The payment is not considered taxable income and will not affect other social security payments.

THE IMPACT OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE


The impact of domestic violence can be profound and long-lasting. Victims may experience a range of physical, emotional, and psychological effects, including:

Physical Injuries: These can range from minor bruises and scratches to more serious injuries, such as broken bones, head injuries, and internal damage.

Emotional Trauma: Domestic violence can lead to anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), low self-esteem, and feelings of helplessness and hopelessness.

Psychological Issues: Victims may experience difficulty sleeping, nightmares, flashbacks, and difficulty concentrating. They may also develop coping mechanisms that are harmful, such as substance abuse.

Financial Hardship: Economic abuse can leave victims financially dependent on their abuser, making it difficult to leave the relationship.

Social Isolation: Abusers often isolate their victims from family and friends, leaving them with limited support.

HOW WE CAN HELP?


If you are experiencing domestic violence, it is crucial to seek help. There are legal services available on the Gold Coast and in Northern NSW that can provide support and guidance.


OUR KEY SERVICES:

  • Apprehended Violence Orders (AVOs)/Domestic Violence Orders (DVO): An AVO/DVO is a court order that protects a person from further violence or abuse. It sets out specific conditions that the abuser must follow, such as not contacting the protected person or not going to their home or workplace.
  • Family Law Matters: Domestic violence often occurs in the context of family relationships. Family lawyers can help with matters such as child custody, property settlement, and divorce.
  • Criminal Charges: In some cases, domestic violence may involve criminal offences. Victims can report the abuse to the police, and the abuser may be charged with assault, harassment, or other offences.

THE ESCAPING VIOLENCE PAYMENT (EVP)


The Australian government recognises the financial difficulties faced by those escaping domestic violence. The Escaping Violence Payment (EVP) is a one-off payment of up to $5,000 available to eligible individuals. This payment can help with immediate needs like:

  • Cash for urgent expenses ($1,500)
  • Rent and rental bond
  • School fees
  • Other essential items


ELIGIBILITY FOR THE EVP


To be eligible for the EVP, you must meet certain criteria, including:

  • Being an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or holder of a protected special category visa.
  • Living in Australia.
  • Being over 18 years of age.
  • Having experienced a change in living circumstances due to domestic violence within the last 12 weeks, or having a plan to change them.
  • Experiencing financial hardship as a result of the change.
  • Not having received the EVP within the past 12 months.

PROVING ELIGIBILITY FOR THE EVP

You will need to provide evidence of domestic violence, such as:

  • A police report
  • An Apprehended Violence Order (AVO)
  • A court order
  • A referral from a domestic violence service provider


ACCESSING THE EVP


You can apply for the EVP through UnitingCare Australia. The payment is not considered taxable income and will not affect other social security payments.

WHY CHOOSE CJM LAWYERS?


If you are experiencing domestic violence, please reach out for help. You can contact:

  • National Domestic Violence Hotline: This national hotline provides 24/7 support and information to people experiencing domestic violence.
  • State-based Domestic Violence Services: Each state and territory in Australia has its own domestic violence services that can provide support, counselling, and emergency accommodation.


CONTACT US TODAY

Don’t let legal challenges stand in the way of your safety and peace of mind. CJM Lawyers are here to support you every step of the way.

Get in Touch: Contact us at 1300 245 299 or cjmlaw.com.au for more information

IN A DANGEROUS SITUATION?

You’re not alone — we can help with protection orders and legal support.

Call Today

IN A DANGEROUS SITUATION?

You’re not alone — we can help with protection orders and legal support.

Call Today

IN A DANGEROUS SITUATION?

You’re not alone — we can help with protection orders and legal support.

Call Today

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For comprehensive legal services, 
book now for your free initial consultation.

Contact Us

Book Us Now!

Property & Conveyancing Guarantor Advice Commercial & Business Wills and Estates Building Disputes
Employment Law Corporate & Commercial Litigation Regulatory Compliance
Retail and Commercial Leasing Commercial and Business Transactions Company and Trust Structures and Sales Property Development Independent Legal Advice to Guarantors

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