Changes to the laws about domestic violence: Fact Sheets

The State Government is providing better protection for people subjected to domestic and personal abuse. New laws that come into effect on Friday, 9 December 2011 will introduce Intervention Orders which aim to protect people not only from violence, but also threatening and controlling behaviour. These new laws will also broaden the people who can be protected by Intervention Orders.

The Intervention Orders (Prevention of Abuse) Act 2009 (IO Act) reforms the previous system of domestic and personal violence restraining orders. The commencement of these laws completes the Government's promised review of rape, sexual assault and domestic violence laws.

The new laws are likely to be used to protect people against domestic abuse. However these laws also cover personal abuse, whether it takes place in a domestic relationship or not.

Restraining orders are replaced with Intervention Orders. Intervention Orders can be used to protect people from abuse by restricting what the defendent (the perpetrator of the abuse) does, as well as by requiring the defendant to work towards rehabilitation.

Last updated: Friday, November 25, 2011