Intervention Orders in Victoria are legal protections issued by the Magistrates Court to safeguard individuals from harmful behaviours, such as harassment, violence, or threats. They set specific conditions that the respondent (the person against whom the order is made) must follow to ensure the safety of the protected person. There are two main types:
- Family Violence Intervention Orders (FVIOs): These orders are for situations involving family violence, such as abuse, intimidation, or threats within familial or domestic relationships.
- Personal Safety Intervention Orders (PSIOs): These are applied for by the Vic Police on behalf of the victim and apply to instances of stalking, harassment, or similar behaviour by someone outside a family relationship (e.g., a neighbour, colleague, or acquaintance).
The conditions of the order can include prohibiting contact, requiring the respondent to stay away from certain places, or surrendering weapons. Breaching an intervention order is a criminal offence in Victoria.
How effective are Intervention Orders?
Intervention orders in Victoria are designed to protect individuals from harm, threats, or harassment. They can be effective in providing legal protection and deterring unwanted behaviour, as breaching an order is a criminal offence. However, their effectiveness can vary depending on the circumstances and the enforcement of the order.
For example, Family Violence Intervention Orders (FVIOs) and Personal Safety Intervention Orders (PSIOs) have specific conditions that the respondent must follow, such as avoiding contact with the protected person or staying away from their residence. If these conditions are breached, the police can take action.
While intervention orders can offer significant protection, they rely on the respondent’s compliance and the authorities’ ability to enforce them. Some individuals may still face challenges, such as ongoing harassment or threats, despite having an order in place.
What are the current statistics on Family Violence Intervention Orders in Victoria?
The Crime Statistics Agency Victoria reported a significant increase in Family Violence Intervention Order (FVIO) applications in 2022-23. Specifically, 22,916 original FVIO applications were heard in specialist family violence courts, compared to 8,438 in 2021-22. This rise is attributed to the expansion of specialist family violence courts, which aim to provide better outcomes for victim-survivors. The Crime Statistics Agency has today (4 December 2024) released key family violence measures from the 2023-24 Victorian Family Violence Database.
Further, there was a significant increase in the number of family violence incidents recorded by police statewide, with figures reaching a new high of 98,816 incidents in 2023-24. This was a 6% increase on the previous year. The increase was in part driven by increases in incidents involving former partners and new perpetrators not previously recorded for incidents by police. Increases were also seen in family violence involving child victims, and victims aged 65 or older.
Over the past 5 years, several incident-related risk factors were increasingly reported to police. The proportion of incidents involving stalking/harassment, sexual assault, threats or harm to a family pet, controlling or jealous behaviour by the perpetrator, or financial difficulties all increased by 30% or more.
The Crime Statistics Agency’s Chief Statistician, Fiona Dowsley, said “the increase in these specific risk factors is notable. This increase may suggest that the number of family violence incidents recorded by police involving coercive control in Victoria is rising. In the context of increased public awareness and increased recognition of the range of behaviours that can constitute family violence, however, it may also be the result of increased reporting by those impacted by family violence and increased recording of these risk factors by Victoria Police”.
For the first time this year, the Family Violence Database also includes data from The Orange Door. This service supports people experiencing family violence, those caring for children and young people, and people using family violence who want to change their behaviour. “This year’s database provides an in-depth look at services provided by The Orange Door. Monitoring and publication of these statistics is important for increasing our understanding of how services are supporting Victorians and changing behaviour” Ms Dowsley said.
The Family Violence Database now includes data showing how family violence incidents progress through the criminal justice system. For example, approximately 51% of family violence incidents attended by police resulted in a criminal offense being recorded, and charges were laid 59% of the time. These statistics reflect the growing capacity of the Victorian criminal justice system to address family violence effectively.