An Apprehended Violence Order (AVO) is an order made by a court to protect a person from violence, intimidation or harassment from the person who makes you fear for your safety
An AVOs say that the other person must not assault, harass, threaten, stalk, or intimidate you. Other conditions can be included.
The other must follow the AVO.
There are two types of AVOs:
- Apprehended Domestic Violence Order (ADVO)
An ADVO is made where the people involved are related, living together or in an intimate relationship, or have previously been in this situation. ADVOs are also available to people who are or have been in a dependent care arrangement with another person, including paid and unpaid carers, and to people living in the same residential facility. - Apprehended Personal Violence Order (APVO)
An APVO is made where the people involved are not related and do not have a domestic relationship, for example, they are neighbours or work together.
How to apply for an Apprehended Violence Order?
You can contact the police and they can apply for an AVO on your behalf or you can apply directly at your Local Court:
- ADVO – Court staff must allow you to apply for an ADVO at a Local Court.
- APVO – An application may be refused application is not serious or is made to cause trouble.
If the police have applied for an AVO for you, you do not need a lawyer. The police will appear in court. If you have applied for an AVO on your own through the Local Court, it is a good idea to get a lawyer to represent you. You can represent yourself in Court or engage a lawyer to appear for you.
