Issues Paper released: Family Violence Intervention Orders for Children and Young Adults: Stage 2 – Participation in Court Proceedings

The Victorian Law Reform Commission has published an issues paper examining how children and young people are heard and participate in Family Violence Intervention Order (FVIO) proceedings.  

The issues paper is part of Stage 2 of a community law reform project examining family violence intervention orders for children and young people. 

Stage 2 of the project considers whether reforms are needed to ensure that children and young people’s voices are heard and considered in FVIO proceedings when they are an applicant, protected person or affected family member.  

During Stage 1, we heard that some young people who have experienced family violence want to be involved in decisions about FVIOs which protect them, and to be recognised as victim survivors in their own right. 

The issues paper includes questions to guide discussion and community responses about potential reform. 

We are interested in hearing from people who have experience of the FVIO system as a child or young person, and the people who have supported them. We also invite submissions from anyone with an interest in this topic. 

Community input will help shape our recommendations for reform.

We are calling for submissions by 16 October 2026. 

Read the issues paper: Family Violence Intervention Orders for Children and Young Adults: Stage 2 – Participation in Court Proceedings Issues Paper

Find information sheets about the project : Information Sheets – Family Violence Intervention Orders for Children and Young Adults

Find out more about the project here: Family Violence Intervention Orders for Children and Young Adults 

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