The purpose of the Family Violence Act 2018 (‘FV Act’) is to recognise that all forms of family violence are unacceptable, stop or prevent family violence and to keep victims, tamariki and whānau, safe from family violence.
Family violence includes physical, sexual, or psychological abuse as well as exposing tamariki to violence. Psychological abuse includes threats, intimidation, harassment, damage to property, mistreatment of pets and financial control.
There are several ways that the law tries to help.
Whānau can get protection from the violent person, by the Police issuing a Police Safety Order (‘PSO’). If the violent person has been charged, the District Court can provide protection by granting another Police Safety Order or a Protection Order. The victim can also apply without notice to the Family Court for a Protection order.