Get an apprehended violence order
An Easy Read guide about how to get an apprehended violence order (AVO).
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In this guide, we explain how to get an apprehended violence order (AVO).
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Violence is when someone:
- hurts you
- scares you
- controls you.
What is an AVO?
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An AVO is a legal order to protect you from being harmed by another person.
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You can apply for an AVO if someone has:
- used violence against you
- scared or threatened you.
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An AVO explains the rules a person must follow.
You can find out more about the rules in an AVO on our website.
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There are different types of AVOs.
You can find out more about the types of AVOs on our website.
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We explain how you can get an AVO below.
How to apply for an AVO
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The police can apply for an AVO for you.
This is called a police application.
They must do this if they believe you are in danger.
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The police must also apply for an AVO if the person in danger is under 16 years old.
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You can ask about an AVO at your local police station.
Find your local police station on the NSW police website.
You can also call the Police Assistance line.
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You can also apply for an AVO yourself.
This is called a private application.
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You can contact your Local Court registry to apply for an AVO.
You can find your local court on the Local Court NSW website.
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You will need to get all your evidence ready before you apply in court.
Evidence is proof that something is true.
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You can find out more about a private application for an AVO on the Legal Aid NSW website.
Going to court
Get ready for court
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You will get a court date after you apply for an AVO.
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If you applied for yourself, you need to get your evidence ready before your court date.
For example, photos or a medical report from a doctor.
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If the police applied for an AVO for you, they will get the evidence ready.
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Other people in your life can also write letters.
They can explain the violence they saw happen to you.
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You can get support from a lawyer.
A lawyer is someone who knows and understands the law
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They can help you:
- plan what to say
- get your evidence ready.
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Find out more about how to get ready for court.
At court
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When you go to court, you need to share the evidence.
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The person you want protection from can also share their evidence.
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The court will use all the information and evidence to decide if you need protection from an AVO.
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Find out more about what happens at court.
After court
How your life is affected
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If the court decides you need protection from an AVO, it might affect some parts of your life.
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For example, it might affect:
- where you can live
- your job
- your visa.
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A visa is a document that says you can come to Australia from another country to:
- travel
- work
- live.
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Find out more about how an AVO might affect you.
When someone breaks the rules
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When the court gives someone an AVO, they must follow certain rules.
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These rules help protect you from being harmed by this person again.
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If someone doesn’t follow the rules in an AVO, they are breaking the law.
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You need to tell the police if the person you are in danger from is breaking the rules of the AVO.
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Find out more about reporting someone who breaks the rules.
How to change or end an AVO
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You can ask the court to change an AVO.
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For example, if you want:
- the AVO to last longer
- to change the rules
- to end the AVO.
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Find out more about changing or ending an AVO.
When you don’t agree with the court’s decision
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You can ask the court to check their decision about an AVO if you don’t agree with it.
You can do this within 28 days after you went to court.
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If you were not at your court date, you can also ask the court to:
- undo their decision
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- look at the evidence again.
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The court might make the same decision again.
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You can do this for 2 years after they made the decision.
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Find out more about checking the court’s decision.