What is an Apprehended Violence Order (AVO)?
An AVO is an order to protect you from violence, threats and harassment. There are two sorts of AVO’s, Apprehended Domestic Violence Orders (ADVO’s) and Apprehended Personal Violence Orders (APVO’s). An ADVO is an order made by the court to protect you from violence, threats and harassment from a spouse, de facto partner, ex partner, family member, carer or person living in the same household. APVO’s are orders made by the court to protect you from violence, threats and harassment from anyone you are not in a domestic or family relationship with. This fact sheet explains ADVO’s only. If you fear for your safety you can report your fears and experience of domestic violence to the police and police officers can apply for an ADVO on your behalf. Police Officers MUST apply for an ADVO if they suspect or believe that a domestic violence offence, child abuse offence or stalking/intimidation offence has been committed or is likely to be committed against you.
The ADVO restricts the behaviour of the person you fear (called the defendant) by placing conditions on the ADVO. These conditions can be:
• Not to assault, harass, threaten, stalk or intimidate you,
• Not to enter, remain on or access any premises you occupy or work in,
• Not to contact you directly or through a third party.
The Court and NSW Police Force keep a record of the ADVO made by the Court and the conditions imposed.