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About Protection Orders | What is Mensline Court Support? | About SupportLink

About Protection Orders

A Domestic Violence Order (DVO) is a civil matter; and is issued by a Magistrates Court prohibiting future abusive or violent behaviour by an abusive person.

DVPO’s in Queensland are enforced under the Domestic & Family Violence Protection Act 2012

A DVPO can be applied for by a Police Officer or an aggrieved person (someone claiming to have been the victim of domestic or family violence).  In certain circumstances a person acting under another Act for the aggrieved may also apply.

Specific conditions can be applied for on the Order that may further increase a victim’s safety, for example that the person who is perpetrating the abuse be prohibited from coming to or within a specified distance of the victim’s residence or workplace.

Physical and sexual assault are criminal offences, stalking is also a crime.  These assaults are handled through the Criminal Justice system.

Being subject to a Protection Order is a civil matter administered through the Magistrates Court.

However  if a Protection Order is breached – that is to say – some part of the  terms of the order are ignored  or deliberately contravened  – that action  then  becomes a Criminal Offence which may be punishable by a prison sentence.

Aggrieved parties are actively encouraged to report any breach to the Police.

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What is Mensline Court Support?

Mensline Queensland provides a court support service at seven Magistrates Courts in South East Queensland for men involved in domestic and family violence procedures.

Court work and related information can also be accessed from all over the State by phoning Mensline Queensland, on 1800 600 636

Our aim is to give men the opportunity to access professional support and information to help them with improved communication, and to understand the effects of violence and abuse on them and their families at this critical time.

This support can take the form of:

• Explaining what is happening with court procedures and processes, and the choices available and the decisions they need to make.
• Counselling men who are angry, distressed, confused, remorseful or depressed, both before and after court appearances.
• Providing choices and options for counselling, treatment or support programs.

Sadly, many men leave the court process feeling very angry and/or depressed.

They often do not know where to begin to work through these strong emotions.

This may manifest in further expressions of violence towards their families, the wider community or themselves.

It is intended that Mensline Court Support service allows men to feel heard and supported at this crucial time, and assists men to gain the support needed to make positive choices towards getting their lives back in order, and to stop using violence in their relationships.

We cannot provide you with legal advice, advocate for you, or represent you at court

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About SupportLink

SupportLink referrals to DVConnect are requests made by Queensland Police for us to make follow up calls to people they have been called out to in relation to domestic violence.

This may be because they have concerns about the ongoing safety or wellbeing of a particular individual or family member they met with, and believe that person may benefit from a chat with one of our Mensline counsellor, or referral to another appropriate service.

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