Apprehended Violence Orders; What do they mean?

Apprehended Violence Orders or AVOs are orders taken out the Police or Courts where there is deemed to be a person in need of protection. AVOs usually follow allegations of Domestic violence, intimidation or harassment against an alleged victim whom the authorities believe needs to be protected from the aggressor. You can read more about Domestic Violence offences here.

There are two types of AVOs imposed by the Police or Courts;

  1. Apprehended Domestic Violence Orders; this type is usually made where there is an allegation of an offence between two parties who are related and/or live together
  2. Apprehended Personal Violence Order; this type is ordered following an alleged offence but the parties do not live together and/or are not in a relationship.

There is a third type of AVO, namely a private AVO which can be applied for by an individual where there is no allegation of violence or the Police will not make the application.

ADVOs and APVOs are often imposed when a formal charge of domestic violence is brought against an individual. This is done to protect the alleged victim from further violence and is seen as a protection against any punishment imposed by the aggressor on the victim for reporting the allegation to the Police.

However, it can be used vindictively and often has significant impacts upon individual’s lives and relationships. For example, an AVO may be taken out that a person cannot speak to another. This, by default, often means that the defendant cannot return home, because in doing so they would have to speak the protected person. In other circumstances, an AVO impacts on individual’s ability to see their children or continue their employment.

Some other common and serious consequences are;

  • Revocation of your firearms licence, seizure of your firearms
  • 10 year ban on applying for new firearms licence
  • Inability to pass Working With Children check or Police Check
  • Affect your ability to hold a security licence or any other licence which involves passing the above checks

It is important that you understand the direct implications of the conditions of the AVO imposed on you. To ensure your life does not need to put on hold, please contact our office on the above number.