Police serve nearly 90 Family Violence Orders over just two days

Police say they are ready to assist survivors of family violence. Photo: Michelle Kroll.

CONTENT WARNING: This article refers to family violence.

Over just two days earlier this week, ACT Policing served nearly 90 orders designed to prevent family violence.

On Monday and Tuesday (26-27 August), police officers worked with the Service and Process team to coordinate the serving of 88 Family Violence Orders (FVO) and 19 Personal Protection Orders (PPO).

Five orders for interstate jurisdictions, seven subpoenas and six summons were served as well.

During the operation, one person was taken into custody as they were subject to an arrest warrant. Meanwhile, three firearms were seized from another person as required by their FVO.

“More than 20 officers worked each day to locate the persons and serve the notices,” an ACT Policing spokesperson said.

The spokesperson said FVOs can be an important tool to support victim-survivors escaping family violence.

“They make it an offence for a respondent to behave in certain ways towards a protected person which might not otherwise be illegal, such as contacting, approaching, or otherwise exerting control over a protected person,” they said.

FVOs and PPOs legally must be served in person.

“This can prove challenging, especially when the person being served is actively avoiding police,” the police spokesperson said.

“Additionally, investigative techniques normally used by police to locate a person are not permitted to be used when serving court orders.”

ACT Policing says it is ready to assist those experiencing family violence.

The spokesperson said if you are in this situation – when it is safe to do so – contact police on 131 444 or Triple Zero in an emergency. You can also contact a support service that can assist with crisis support, safety planning and advice.

If this story has raised any concerns for you, 1800RESPECT, the national 24-hour sexual assault, family and domestic violence counselling line, can be contacted on 1800 737 732. Help and support are also available through the Canberra Rape Crisis Centre on 02 6247 2525, the Domestic Violence Crisis Service ACT 02 6280 0900, the Sexual Violence Legal Services on 6257 4377 and Lifeline on 13 11 14. In an emergency, call Triple Zero.