Evaluate the Effectiveness of Apprehended Violence Orders on in Protecting Individuals and Groups Within Society.

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An Apprehended Violence Order (AVO) is a system of protection governed by the Crimes (Domestic and Personal Violence) Act 2007 (NSW). An AVO is an Order made by a court against a person who causes fear for ones safety, to protect individuals from further violence, intimidation or harassment. All Apprehended Violence Orders made by the court prohibit the person who is causing these fears from assaulting, harassing, threatening, stalking, or intimidating the victim. The legislative scheme is directed to the protection of the community in a direct and immediate sense, rather than through methods such as deterrence. These orders constitute the primary means of asserting the fundamental right to freedom from fear. Protection orders have clear benefits; however include some faults in protecting individuals within society. They are relatively accessible, responsive and meet societies needs. Yet, there has been some recent speculation on the enforceability of this area of the law. Possibly the most effective area of the Crimes (Domestic and Personal Violence) Act is the accessibility. Accessibility is the extent to which an individual or can obtain an AVO at the time it is needed. As AVOs are easily accessible, they have a greater outcome in protecting individuals within society. Anyone can apply for an AVO against an individual that inflicts fear of physical violence, harassment, intimidation, offensive behaviour or stalking. Obtaining a protection order is a civil process in which the applicant or the police (on their behalf) need to prove to the court, on the balance of probabilities, that they require the protection of an order. For individuals, who are young, disabled, speak little English or at any other disadvantage, there are is variety of service available to help overcome these discrepancies. Ms. Merrin Thompson, member of the Social Issues Committee NSW

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