Domestic and family violence

Family violence law

• Family Violence Law Help
  Easy to understand information on domestic and family violence, family law, child protection, ADVOs and where to get help.

Guidelines and tip sheets

• Password checklist tip sheet (PDF, 582KB)
  What passwords clients need to change to increase their safety after leaving a violent relationship.
• Spyware and Stalkerware: Computer Surveillance & Safety for Survivors, WESNET
  Assists clients to check for spyware on their devices and helps clients protect themselves against spyware.
• Image-based abuse tip sheet (PDF, 617KB)
  Practical steps to assist clients where their intimate images are shared, or are threatened to be shared without consent.
• Screening, identifying risk and responding to DFV tip sheet (PDF, 2.4MB)
  Guidance on how to screen, make plans around safety and assist clients who may be experiencing domestic and family violence.
• Risk assessment tip sheet (PDF, 120KB)
  Practical guidance about how to ask about domestic and family violence and about what risk factors to look for.
• Safety planning for high-risk matters checklist (PDF, 650KB)
  Assists lawyers and other staff to safely manage high risk legal matters.
• Family Violence Best Practice Principles Fifth Edition
  Developed to provide court users, legal practitioners, litigants, and service providers with practical guidance regarding the way in which matters involving issues of family violence are managed in the Courts.
• Guidelines for contact with the complainant in apprehended domestic violence matters (PDF, 168KB)
  Outlines some of the specific obligations and responsibilities of practitioners when dealing with complainants in apprehended domestic violence proceedings and in criminal matters. Developed by the Young Lawyers Criminal Law Committee, in collaboration with the Law Society of NSW’s Criminal Law Committee.

Domestic violence services

• Women’s Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Service
  Helps women and children obtain legal protection from domestic violence and also help with other needs including accessing support services and legal advice. WDVCASs service 108 local courts across NSW.
• Domestic Violence Unit
  Provides legal advice, assistance, referral and representation as well as social work support to victims of domestic and family violence.
• Family Advocacy and Support Services
  Provides integrated legal and social support services to families affected by family violence in the Parramatta, Sydney, Newcastle and Wollongong Family Law Courts.
• Domestic Violence Practitioner Service
  Private solicitors, based in a number of local courts across NSW, are paid by Legal Aid NSW to give free independent advice to women experiencing domestic violence (including police clients) on ADVOS, family law, care and protection and victim’s compensation matters. They can also refer clients to other services for more legal help.
• Other referrals for clients

Contact us

If you have a domestic violence issue call your closest Women's Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Service or LawAccess NSW on 1300 888 529.

If you have an inquiry about our domestic violence services please contact the Domestic Violence Unit.