What it means
A family violence order is a state or territory court order designed to protect a person from violence, threats, intimidation or harassment by a family member or partner. The name varies by jurisdiction: an Apprehended Violence Order (AVO) in NSW, an Intervention Order in SA and Victoria, a Domestic Violence Order (DVO) in Queensland, and similar names elsewhere. These orders are made under state and territory laws, not the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth), but family violence is highly relevant to federal parenting and property matters. Breaching a family violence order is a criminal offence.
How it's used
After repeated threats, she obtained a family violence order requiring her former partner to stay away from her home and workplace.