• Domestic Violence is a Crime
• What is an Apprehended Domestic Violence Order (ADVO)?
• How do I get an ADVO?
• Who can help me?
• How can women access a Scheme?
• Is there a Scheme in my local area?
• Scheme Contact Details
• Brochures

Domestic Violence is a crime and you don't have to put up with it!
You can do something to stop domestic violence. You can go to court and get an Apprehended Domestic Violence Order (ADVO). If you have reported the violence to the police the person who has been violent to you may also be charged.

What is an Apprehended Domestic Violence Order (ADVO)?
An ADVO is an order made by the court telling the person who has been violent to you what they must not do. The ADVO aims to protect you from the violence you have been experiencing.

An ADVO itself is not a criminal conviction, although the person who has been violent to you may also be charged with a criminal offence. Making an order does not mean that the person has a criminal record, nor that they will go to gaol. However, it they break the order, this is a crime and they can then get a criminal record or go to gaol. More information is available in the Apprehended Violence Orders (Applicants) brochure.

How do I get an ADVO?

• Go to or call the Chamber Registrar at your nearest Local Court
• Go to or call a Women's Domestic Violence Court Assistance Scheme, or
• Go to or call the Police

To get an ADVO you need to apply to the Local Court. At the court sitting you will be asked to choose the conditions you need to protect you from the person who has been violent to you (known as "the defendant"). If the defendant agrees to an ADVO then the order is made. Otherwise the "Hearing" for your ADVO will be defered to another date. The Police can issue a Telephone Interim Order for your protection while you are waiting to attend the Local Court.

If your ADVO has been defered you can apply for an Interim Order to help protect you until the "Hearing" date.

At the "Hearing", the magistrate hears the evidence and makes a decision based on whether you have fears for you safety and whether these fears are reasonable. If the order is not granted you can appeal this decision within 28 days. Click here to view the ADVO Process

Who can help me get an ADVO?
The Women's Domestic Violence Court Assistance Scheme is a special service that can help women get an ADVO. Support workers at the Scheme will:

• explain about ADVOs and stopping domestic violence
• tell you what will happen in court
• go with you to court to support you
• tell you about other organisations that can help you

A support worker may also be able to organise a lawyer if you don't have one. A lawyer may:

• advise you about the legal orders you are applying for
• go to the court and represent you

Don't forget to ask about Victim's compensation.

How can women access a Scheme?
Women can contact the Scheme prior to going to court or ask Local Court staff to direct them to a Scheme worker at the court on the day the matter is listed. Community organisations such as Community Legal Centres can also refer women to Schemes for assistance. For more information please see our brochures.

Is there a Scheme in my local area?
There are 33 Schemes located across rural and metropolitan NSW. Check the list of Phone Numbers below for your closest Scheme. Click here to view a Map of Scheme locations in NSW

Scheme Contact Details

Brochures
For more information and a flow chart of the process, please view our brochure (PDF) entitled "Help with going to court".

This brochure is now also available in 15 languages as well as an Aboriginal specific version. The Brochures can be downloaded as PDF files, ordered online using the Publications Fax Order Form, or contact the Publications Unit on (02) 9219 5028 or email publications@legalaid.nsw.gov.au to have an Publications Order Form sent to you by post or fax.