Where there has been a marriage or partnership breakdown,
children are often central to Family Violence Intervention Order
Applications. Being a witness in Court can be intimidating and
confusing for many people, and of course this is particularly so
for children. Children and young people have varying cognitive and
comprehension abilities which can be affected by many factors,
including their age, schooling and intellectual ability. For this
reason, there are special protections in place for child witnesses
in all jurisdictions in Victoria. The Family Violence
Protection Act 2008 (the Act) is no exception.
Whether you are an Applicant or a Respondent to a contested
Family Violence Intervention Order Application, it is important
that you obtain legal advice from an experienced practitioner to
ensure that you understand your rights, and your options with
respect to your children's involvement in the process.
