Loading...

COVID-19 and Domestic Violence Help

30 April 2020

In the wake of the coronavirus pandemic Google has reported the highest number of searches for domestic violence help that they have seen in the past five years. Domestic violence services are already reporting an increase in demand. Here is some valuable information to assist anyone in such a situation.

The statistics on domestic violence are staggering. On average one woman a week is murdered by her current or former partner[1].

If you are a victim of domestic violence or know someone who is, please consider the following:

  1. Domestic violence is not ok. You have the right to live a life free from violence. No one deserves to be abused and there is never an excuse for violence.
  2. Domestic violence is not just physical abuse. Domestic violence also includes financial abuse, psychological/emotional abuse, verbal abuse, spiritual/cultural abuse, damage to property, sexual abuse, social abuse by controlling you, stalking and technological/digital abuse. Consider the WESNET Safety Net Australia Project safety check https://techsafety.org.au/resources/resources-women/ to learn how to increase your technology safety and privacy.
  3. Obtain a Protection Order. You can obtain a Protection Order to help stop the violence.  In Queensland you can download an Application for a Protection Order from the Queensland Courts’ website and the link is https://www.courts.qld.gov.au/going-to-court/domestic-violence  The Application can be filed in any Queensland Magistrates Court.
  4. Contact the Police. Call Triple Zero (000) if you are in urgent need of assistance from domestic violence.  For all other domestic violence related matters, phone the police on 131 444, 24 hours, 7 days a week. Alternatively, you can make contact with a police officer or police station by submitting the following form on the police website: https://www.police.qld.gov.au/domestic-violence
  5. Get safe accommodation and counselling. DVConnect provide many support services including crisis counselling http://www.dvconnect.org/. The DVConnect Womensline can also help women and children find crisis accommodation.  Their weblink is http://www.dvconnect.org/womensline/ and you can call them 24 hours a day 7 days a week on 1800 811 811.  There is also a DVConnect Mensline and their link is http://www.dvconnect.org/mensline/ and they can be contacted on 1800 600 636 between 9am and midnight 7 days a week.
  6. Obtain legal advice. You can obtain private legal advice from a family or criminal lawyer or obtain free advice from a Community Legal Centre such as Women’s Legal Service (“WLS”) Queensland https://wlsq.org.au/ Ph 1800 957 957 or Caxton Legal Centre https://caxton.org.au/ Ph is 3214 6333.  To find other Community Legal Centres near you please see this link https://communitylegalqld.org.au/find-legal-help/find-centre for Community Legal Centres Queensland. You may also be eligible for Legal Aid who may be able to assist you http://www.legalaid.qld.gov.au/Home
  7. Get help. Consider contacting the following for support:
  • 1800RESPECT– PH:1800 737 732 – 24 hour national sexual assault, family and domestic violence counselling line for any Australian who has experienced, or is at risk of, family and domestic violence and/or sexual assault. Website https://www.1800respect.org.au/
  • Lifeline PH 13 11 14– Anyone across Australia experiencing a personal crisis or thinking about suicide. Website https://www.lifeline.org.au/
  • Aboriginal Family Domestic Violence Hotline PH: 1800 019 123– Victims Services has a dedicated contact line for Aboriginal victims of crime who would like information on victims’ rights, how to access counselling and financial assistance.
  • Brisbane Domestic Violence Service PH 3217 2544– a free and confidential service for people in the Brisbane Metropolitan area who are affected by domestic and family violence. The service supports women, children, family members, same sex couples and others. Website https://www.bdvs.org.au/
  • Beyond Blue PH 1300 22 4636– provides information and support to help everyone in Australia achieve their best possible mental health, whatever their age and wherever they live. Website https://www.beyondblue.org.au/

Many of our solicitors at Michael Lynch Family Lawyers also volunteer at Community Legal Centres such as Women’s Legal Service and Caxton Legal Centre and provide free legal advice in respect of family law matters including domestic violence.

Family law matters need to be addressed carefully and professionally. To speak with one of our experienced family lawyers, please contact our Brisbane office today. Call us on (07) 3221 4300 to organise a no-obligation initial appointment at a fixed-cost. We will be happy to assist you in person, over the phone or by Skype.

[1] Bryant W & Bricknell S 2017. Homicide in Australia 2012–13 to 2013–14: National Homicide Monitoring Program report. Statistical Reports no. 2. Canberra: Australian Institute of Criminology. https://aic.gov.au/publications/sr/sr002

COVID-19 and Domestic Violence Help. Accompanying image: children watching their parents quarreling at home
2020-05-01T13:34:20+10:00

Client Testimonials

Lovely to deal with and provides a balanced view in what are very difficult circumstances.
A.C., Morningside
I was guided through a really difficult time with expertise of Michael Lynch Family Lawyers. I am more than happy with the outcome of mediation.
J.H., Windaroo

I was very impressed with the initial interview. Everything was well-explained, and the advice was honest about what I should expect.

C.M., Morningside

Many thanks to Stephanie for her help and support through this time, I was incredibly impressed with her work.

L.K., North Lakes
So pleased to have had a good, sound and knowledgeable firm.
C.W., Brookfield

I would like to thank your firm for the support and compassion shown while dealing with my matter.

C.M., Brisbane

At Michael Lynch Family Lawyers I got professional and ‘no-nonsense’ advice, costs were within quoted amounts and my matter was resolved quickly – well done!

L.R., Ascot
Your newsletters are great, I appreciate them.
K.B., Carina
My solicitor provided a personalised service, prompt and quick responses and cost information prior to my commitment.
G.C., Southport
Thank you for your ongoing conciliatory approach in this matter and as always I appreciate your level headed advice. I certainly feel that I ended up with the right Solicitor.
S.C., Nundah
I appreciate my lawyer’s professional approach and her being on top of my situation.
N.S., Mt Gravatt
Your team is professional, warm, friendly and real.
N.R., Crows Nest
Thank you for the great newsletter. Your article on “Coping with Christmas” is brilliant – clear, caring and helpful. Thanks again!
C.T., Bribie Island
My family lawyer was very helpful in assisting me to combat a very ugly situation without stooping to the low levels that the other solicitor attempted to take us.
M.J., Manly
My lawyer acted with professionalism in all her dealings with me and with the lawyer on the other side. I was always kept in the loop. I liked her approach. Thanks.
D.S., Coorparoo
Michael is very personable and very good at covering the material and explaining the strategy.
J.O., Hawthorne
Your team’s communication with me was exceptional, I knew exactly what was happening.
A.A., Eatons Hill

My lawyer was the most knowledgeable of all lawyers I spoke to when looking for a lawyer. Michael Lynch Family Lawyers showed professionalism.

R.R., Brighton
The professionalism and reliability delivered by Amy Honan was fantastic. I had an urgent matter around my property sale and Amy offered to provide assistance over a weekend if I required it – that’s above and beyond!
E.F., Nundah
I really appreciated the happiness of your secretarial staff.
G.C., Clayfield
Thank you, you placed my needs first, you were aware of the need to reach a final result and not get caught up in the personal issues of the other party.
S.L., Moranbah

Michael Lynch Family Lawyers are easy to deal with, and your systems are good.

D.T., Ferny Grove

Thank you Debra for all the work you did for me, you both made the process manageable and brought sense to the chaos.

R.B., Toowong
Amy’s work was extremely professional but above all she has a manner and wisdom in dealing with people under stress. I will be recommending your firm to anyone that requires assistance.
K.H., Augustine Heights
Amy, thanks very much to you and your team. Throughout my dealings with MLFL I have been continually impressed with your level of professionalism and, in particular, your understanding of circumstances and the articulate way you conduct yourself. I was completely satisfied with today’s outcome and without your experience and expertise in family law I doubt that the result would have been achieved.
M.R., West End

My solicitor is a good listener. My documentation maintained the high moral ground.

S.S., Hamilton

I’m very glad ‘Michael Lynch Family Lawyers’ is my lawyer and not the other side’s solicitor.

S.S., Hamilton
If I need a family lawyer in the future I’ll be heading to Michael Lynch Family Lawyers again.
C.W., Brookfield
The staff at Michael Lynch Family Lawyers were great. Everyone was fantastic, professional, understanding, caring and always communicated with me. I knew I was in good hands.
A.A., Eatons Hill

My lawyer has been an amazing help through this stressful time. I will remember her help for the rest of my life. Thank you.

J.H., Brisbane

Thank you very much to everyone at Michael Lynch Family Lawyers. Thank you for helping me get my life back and make a fresh start. To have that fresh start without fear and anxiety is priceless.

A.A., Perth

I really liked the personable service by Michael Lynch Family Lawyers, the simple plain language you adopt and everyone’s patience.

A.O., Kedron

Michael Lynch Family Lawyers know what they are talking about.

R.M., Warwick

I just wanted to get in touch to say thanks for helping me get through my custody and settlement. Thanks again to you and your staff. You have had a significant positive impact in my kids’ lives!

B.S., Brisbane
I like that my lawyer treated me like a friend and kept jargon to a minimum. She was easy to contact and kept me informed.
L.R., Samford
Amy, thank you. You have been diligent, accurate and pro-active for the entire duration of my matter. I appreciate it.
R.P., Cleveland
Michael Lynch Family Lawyers always gave me competent and knowledgeable advice. I was consistently kept up to date. The meetings and phone calls were kept business-like, yet caring and thoughtful of my emotional state at the time. Thank you.
J.S., Holland Park
Thank you for the outstanding legal advice you have provided and professionalism in which you conduct yourself. I am truly thankful that it was you who represented me.
M.T., Stafford

You, guys, provide extraordinary service.

A.O., North Brisbane
I appreciate you being upfront with fee estimates. You also have a fantastic website and the seminars REALLY helped to get me focussed.
T.C., Tarragindi

Thank you for helping me through this difficult time. You have been caring, compassionate and efficient. Some of my divorcing friends have not been so fortunate. In my mind, you are the best family lawyer in Brisbane. If anyone I know needs a good family lawyer, I will tell them to speak to you. Thanks again.

B.T., Clayfield

I was always confident that I was getting the very best advice.

T.S., Flinders

Thank you, you kept me sane in a difficult situation and gave me the encouragement and the confidence to keep going. You made me feel extremely comfortable.

A.M., Chambers Flat

I have appreciated the way that you and the staff at your firm have handled my situation. I would especially like to mention the professional and caring way my lawyer conducted my case, I am deeply grateful and extremely happy with the results. I will be referring others to your service.

J.H., Wellington Point
I always felt that the service provided by Michael Lynch Family Lawyers was of a high standard. Each time, after appointments I came away feeling secure. Keep doing what you are and maintain the ‘family feel’ that permeates your services.
C.W., Brookfield

Your staff is knowledgeable, professional and very calm.

A.C., Helensvale

Thank you for being very personable, professional and always providing me with the most appropriate advice in my times of difficulty. The other party’s lawyers were extremely aggressive, while Michael Lynch Family Lawyers remained calm and professional.

S.D., Parkinson
Thank you for providing me with a professional yet empathetic approach to gain the best outcome for me. My solicitor was excellent in explaining the processes and in representing me in Court. You have great customer service!
T.V., Everton Park
A personalised and professional service. Information has been clear and provided timely to assist my decision-making.
S.S., Hamilton
I like your friendly service and the ability to speak to my solicitor directly.
R.G., Wishart

We had such a positive experience with Michael Lynch Family Lawyers, and we highly recommend their services. Meticulous attention to detail, attended quickly to every additional request we made, and made sure we always knew exactly where we were every step of the way. Our lawyer took what was such a stressful and emotional time for our family, and made the process feel so smooth and seamless.

N.B., Brisbane
I was impressed by my solicitor’s attention to detail and her concern for me, and that the process was explained to me and that I understood it at all times.
B.W., Chapel Hill

After utilising the mediation services team recommended by your organisation, my ex-partner and I were able to reach some interim agreements about parenting. I am incredibly grateful for the advice provided by Debra Effeney; and found your firm’s services to be exceptionally professional. If we needed to consult a family lawyer in the future, we would have no hesitation in reconnecting with your firm.

K.M., Paddington
Michael Lynch Family Lawyers have really listened to me. I felt confident my case was handled well. The law has changed recently, and I did not feel that a previous law practice I spoke to was suitably up-to-date.
P.B., Carindale
Many thanks for your assistance – life is now great – I’m moving on.
J.K., Mansfield
May I take this opportunity to express my gratitude to you and your staff for the excellent professional services I received. In a word, priceless.
D.H., Hendra
I liked my solicitor keeping things as simple as possible.
S.M., Clayfield
Amy, thank you for all that you have done during this matter. You impressed me with your professionalism from our initial meeting, and you have proven beyond doubt, to have had the skills and knowledge required. You are a credit to the company, and I would highly recommend you to anyone in a similar situation.
R.P., Cleveland
Michael, thank you again for your presence here yesterday. We really appreciated the clarity and accessibility of your presentation. It is a rare thing to find somebody who not only has expertise, but also has a skill in communicating it.
J.S., Brisbane