On this page, we talk about different parts of the
The justice system includes:
- prisons
- the courts
- police
- the law.
Police, courts and prisons
Police, courts and prisons can help if someone has hurt:
- you
- a person you support.
Dealing with police, courts and prisons can be stressful.
You can find out more on our page about police, courts and prisons.
Protection orders
You can apply for a protection order if you experience domestic and family violence.
A protection order is how the law helps protect you from
Domestic and family violence is when someone close to you hurts you, such as:
- your partner, like your boyfriend or girlfriend
- a member of your family
- someone who takes care of you
- someone you live with.
Protection orders have different names in different states and territories.
For example, in Tasmania they are called Family Violence Orders.
But in Victoria they are called Intervention Orders.
All protection orders work everywhere in Australia.
You can find out more on our page about how the law can protect you from domestic and family violence.
Mediators
A mediator is a person who:
- works with other people who disagree about something
- supports them to solve their problems
- is not part of that problem.
A mediator helps people make a decision about a problem so they do not have to go to court.
For example, if a married couple end their a mediator can help them decide who their child will live with.
Your relationship with someone is how you are connected to them.
A mediator does not just help families.
For example, a mediator can also help if there is a problem between:
- a worker and the person who hired them
- a person and an organisation
- neighbours
- friends.
You can find out more on our page about working with a mediator.
Family court
Family court is a place where a judge makes legal decisions for families and children.
For example, if parents decide they do not want to be together anymore.
If parents decide to separate, they might disagree about:
- who should look after the children
- what to do with the house they own.
The family court will help parents work out how to deal with these issues.
You can find out more on our page about family court.
Child protection
Child protection helps children stay safe.
Each state and territory has its own child protection system.
Child protection can decide if a child:
- is not safe in their home
- must live with someone else.
You can find out more on our page about child protection.
It is never your fault if you have experienced the bad behaviour we talk about on this page.
We are sorry that this has happened to you.
The first thing you should do is make sure you are safe.
If you or someone you know is in danger, call Triple Zero.
000
We have a section on this website about how to call Triple Zero.
You can find out more on our page about a guide to call Triple Zero.
You can contact 1800RESPECT for support.
You can call them.
1800 737 732
You can talk to someone online.
You can send them a text message.
0458 737 732
If you send them a text message, you can just send the word ‘HELLO’.
You can leave your partner if this is where you are experiencing the bad behaviour.
For example, your boyfriend or girlfriend.
You can find out more on our page about how to be safe when you leave a relationship.
If you are not ready to leave your partner, you can still make a plan about how to be safe.
You can find out more on our page about when you are not ready to leave a relationship.
You can get support from your friends and family.
It is a good idea to tell them:
- what they can do to help you
- to focus on what you need to feel safe.
You can keep proof of the person’s bad behaviour if it safe for you to do so.
You can give this proof to the police if you decide to contact them.
You can start to manage your own money so you can leave if or when you want to.
You can find out more on our page about managing your own money.
You can share what is happening to a government organisation.
For example, the Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC).
AHRC is an organisation that makes sure people treat others:
- fairly
- equally.
You can call a helpline.
Helplines are phone numbers that will connect you to people who:
- care about what you are going through
- can give you good advice.
We have a list of helplines on our website.
You can find out more on our page about helplines.
You can work with someone to explore how you think and feel.
This can help you:
- reach goals
- feel safe
- learn skills
- understand what happened to you.
You can find out more on our page about counselling.
You can learn more about the rules about how people must treat you:
- fairly
- equally.
You can find out more on our page about your rights.
You can think about what you can do to care for yourself.
You can find out more on our page about caring for yourself.
You might have experienced the bad behaviour from someone who did a service for you.
For example, from:
- a health professional
- someone who cleaned your house.
You can talk to the person who organises your services if this has happened to you.
