What is Domestic Violence?
Domestic violence is an offence committed by a person against another with whom the person has or has had a domestic relationship. Domestic violence offences encompass a broad range of conduct, including the use or threats of violence, or conduct intended to coerce or control another person or to cause that person to feel intimidated or fearful. Domestic violence charges are often accompanied by an application for an Apprehended Domestic Violence Order (ADVO), designed to protect the complainant from further domestic violence offences.
Domestic violence includes offences and behaviours such as:
- The use or threats of physical violence.
- Stalking.
- Conduct designed to coerce or intimidate another person.
- Sexual assault.
- Damaging or threatening to damage property.
- Emotional, economic, or psychological actions or threats of actions that influence or exert control over another person.
- Harassment or molestation of another person.
- The use of unlawful or excessive physical force when disciplining children.
- Cyberbullying and other conduct involving communications over the internet or social media.
- Telephoning, text messaging, or using other forms of communication to cause fear, menace, harass, or offend another person.
- Breaching an Apprehended Domestic Violence Order.
- A pattern of violent conduct towards another person.
Unfortunately, domestic violence is a widespread issue affecting persons of any race, age, sexual orientation, religion, or gender in various relationships, including married couples, cohabitating partners, or dating individuals, as well as broader family relationships.
What is a Domestic Relationship?
The definition of a domestic relationship is broad and includes:
- Being, or having been, married.
- Being, or having been, in a de facto relationship.
- Being in, or having been in, a sexual relationship.
- Living, or having lived together in the same household, such as with a housemate or flatmate.
- Living, or having lived, as a long-term resident in the same residential facility.
- Having, or having had, a relationship involving dependence on the ongoing paid or unpaid care of another person.
- Being a relative of the other person, such as parents, siblings, uncles, aunts, grandparents, etc.
- For Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people, being or having been part of an extended family or kinship system according to the person’s Indigenous culture.
What are the Penalties for Domestic Violence Offences?
Domestic Violence offences are serious crimes in Australia. Maximum penalties for domestic violence offences vary depending on their severity, with courts having the authority to impose lengthy prison sentences.
What Defences are Available to Domestic Violence Offences?
Several defences can be used against a domestic violence charge, depending on the circumstances. Engaging an expert domestic violence lawyer in Sydney can help identify potential defences, such as self-defence, and develop strategies to defend a domestic violence charge.
Why Choose Australian Lawyers and Advocates?
If you are facing a Domestic Violence charge, our expert criminal and domestic violence lawyers in Sydney can help. We will carefully consider your case and provide expert advice on your options.
Our team of expert Domestic Violence Lawyers in Sydney has a proven track record of securing successful outcomes for our clients in domestic violence matters. Our results speak for themselves.
If you require expert representation in a domestic violence offence, don’t delay. Contact our professional domestic violence lawyers in Sydney today.
How can we help?
Get in touch with our team by calling us in order to arrange an appointment to discuss your matter or alternatively, you can contact us with your query below and one of our team will contact you.