Domestic Violence Orders (DVO)
A Domestic Violence Order (DVO) is an order made by the court that prohibits the respondent from certain behaviours, such as harassment, stalking, intimidation, violence or the threat of violence. The purpose of a DVO is to provide protection from this behaviour in the future – it usually states that a person (the respondent) cannot behave as such or go within a certain distance of the home or workplace of the person lodging the complaint (the applicant).
The Court can make a DVO if a respondent consents to a DVO being made, or if evidence is heard proving that a person (the applicant) is in need of protection from the respondent. The magistrate also has to be satisfied that there are reasonable grounds for these fears in order to make a DVO.
What happens if someone tries to make an DVO against you?
You can object to a Domestic Violence Order being made against you and have the matter adjourned for trial at a later date. Under these circumstances, an interim (temporary) DVO will be issued until the trial date.
Contact us to find out more or to arrange a consultation with an experienced domestic violence lawyer in Rockhampton.