What is a voluntary intervention order?
Most people are familiar with the basic orders that can be made by a Magistrate Court in Domestic Violence matters. The two main types being a Protection Order or a Temporary Protection Order. It is also open to a court, however, to impose a further order on a Respondent – a “Voluntary Intervention Order”.
A Voluntary Intervention Order does not “replace” a Protection order but rather can be made in addition to a Protection Order or Temporary Protection Order.
A Voluntary Intervention Order requires the alleged offender (respondent) to attend an approved intervention program (such as a behavioural change program) and/or counselling with an approved counsellor.
This order can only be made if the respondent is present in court at the time the order is made. Further the respondent must be assessed for their suitability to participate in a program or counselling.
Sometimes a “victim advocate” may contact the aggrieved spouse to assess their safety on an ongoing basis over the course of the program. The aggrieved spouse can refuse to participate in any program or counselling.
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