An AVO, or an Apprehended Violence Order, is a legal order issued by a court in Australia to protect a person from violence, harassment, or intimidation. An AVO can be issued to protect a person who fears violence or intimidation from someone they have a domestic or personal relationship with, such as a spouse, partner, family member, or neighbour.
There are two types of AVOs that can be issued in Australia:
- Domestic Violence Order (DVO) – This type of AVO is issued to protect a person from violence or threats of violence by someone they have a domestic relationship with.
- Personal Violence Order (PVO) – This type of AVO is issued to protect a person from violence or threats of violence by someone they have a personal relationship with but are not in a domestic relationship with, such as a neighbour or acquaintance.
An AVO can contain conditions that prohibit the person against whom the order is made from:
- Approaching or contacting the protected person
- Going near their home or workplace
- Intimidating or harassing the protected person
- Possessing firearms or other dangerous weapons
Breaching the conditions of an AVO is a criminal offence and can result in fines or imprisonment.
An AVO can be issued by a court or a police officer, and the application for an AVO can be made by the protected person or someone else on their behalf. If an AVO is breached, the protected person should contact the police immediately.

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