Unfortunately, many family law cases in Australia also include family violence. Given this, there have been changes to the law in Victoria and on a national level in an effort to better protect victim survivors, their children and their pets.
In family law proceedings, Interim Hearings are generally scheduled after a First Return Hearing and once you and your former partner have had an opportunity to resolve interim issues by consent but have been unable to do so. As the name suggests, decisions made at an Interim Hearing are on a temporary or interim basis.
Family law proceedings are often messy, tiresome, and emotionally driven. In these circumstances, secretly recording your former partner to gather evidence for court proceedings may be tempting.
Following separation, if either parent has any concerns in relation to the physical or psychological welfare of a child, including drug and/or alcohol misuse by a parent or where there is a history of family violence, it is important to seek legal advice early.
Family violence in our communities is, sadly, all too abundant. It is insidious and leaves life-lasting scars for the victims; both physically and psychologically. Although not a silver bullet, Intervention Orders due to family violence can go some way to providing protection for those exposed to the violence.