The Victorian Government has introduced new reforms aimed at improving long-term safety for women and children experiencing family violence.
Attorney-General Sonya Kilkenny presented the Justice Legislation Amendment (Family Violence, Stalking and Other Matters) Bill 2025 to Parliament, outlining a series of measures designed to make the justice system more responsive and reliable for victim-survivors.
A key part of the Bill is the introduction of a two-year minimum term for all Family Violence Intervention Orders (FVIOs). This change means those affected by abuse will no longer need to repeatedly return to court to renew protection orders, easing the emotional and administrative burden on survivors and helping them rebuild their lives.
The reforms also close a long-standing gap in protection for cases where perpetrators are in prison. Courts will now be required to extend FVIOs for the full duration of a perpetrator’s sentence, with an additional 12 months added after release. The change reflects research showing the increased risk of violence when offenders leave custody.
To ensure no delay in protection, FVIOs can now be served directly to offenders while they are in prison. The Bill also addresses what happens when children on an FVIO turn 18—an age when protections previously expired. Under the new rules, these young people will continue to be covered by their parent’s intervention order.
The legislation further introduces safeguards to reduce the risk of misidentification—a concern raised by many advocates and legal experts. Police and courts will now need to take into account factors such as age, race, gender identity, sexual orientation, and disability before deciding who should be subject to an order or a Family Violence Safety Notice.
The definition of family violence will also expand to include a broader range of abusive behaviours, such as stalking, systems abuse, and harm to animals. This reflects a deeper understanding of the many ways perpetrators exert control and intimidation beyond physical violence.
Victorians fleeing violence across state lines will receive new protections too. Courts will be able to issue orders even when some or all of the offending occurred outside Victoria, ensuring consistent support for those escaping abuse.
The Bill also addresses stalking—an offence that has long been complex to prosecute. Drawing on the 2022 Victorian Law Reform Commission’s report, the government has clarified how the offence is defined and applied. It extends procedural protections already used in family violence and sexual offence cases, allowing children and victims with cognitive impairments to pre-record evidence instead of giving live testimony in court.
Attorney-General Kilkenny said the government’s focus is on protecting those most at risk and ensuring that perpetrators are held accountable. “Nobody deserves to feel unsafe at the hands of a family member or loved one,” she said. “These reforms will ensure perpetrators of gender-based violence are held to account.”
Minister for Prevention of Family Violence Natalie Hutchins said the measures would help survivors start anew. “These reforms will protect women and children fleeing family violence and give them a chance to rebuild their lives in peace.”
The Bill builds on years of reform following the Royal Commission into Family Violence, which made 227 recommendations to improve Victoria’s response to gender-based violence. The government says it continues to work closely with survivors and service providers to make the justice system more accessible, fair and trauma-informed.
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