My violent partner wants to have contact with the kids. What can I do?
Back to FAQ List
You and your children need to feel safe. When you address the issue of whether your partner can (or should) have contact with your kids, you need to consider your safety and the safety of your children. You will need to get legal advice and counselling about whether a change in contact arrangements will be in the best interests of your children. If your partner is to be allowed contact with your kids, you may wish to explore options such as a children's contact service.
Relationships Australia offers a Family Dispute Resolution Service for couples in conflict over issues such as where a child lives. In some states and territories there are also specialist Family Violence Prevention Services and Children's Contact Services.
Family Dispute Resolution
Family Dispute Resolution (formerly known as Family Mediation) is a process by which couples who are in conflict can be helped to communicate with each other about what is important for them and how to make decisions about resolving their dispute. The Family Dispute Resolution Practitioners (formerly known as Mediators) provide clients with a safe, supportive atmosphere and a method of talking to one another, to assist them to sort out the issues and come up with acceptable solutions, and make mutually satisfactory agreements.
More information on Family Dispute Resolution Services
To make an appointment for Family Dispute Resolution, contact the Relationships Australia office nearest you.
Family Violence Prevention
When violence is a problem in your family it is important to get help quickly. Violence is NEVER an acceptable way to deal with problems in a family. It is a sign that a relationship is in trouble. Without help, the violence is likely to get worse or happen more often.
Relationships Australia offers a comprehensive range of counselling programs designed to address Family Violence. In Canberra and Region, New South Wales, Northern Territory, Queensland, Victoria or Western Australia, these programs can be accessed through the Family Violence Prevention service.
Support for Women
If you are a woman who has experienced violence and/or abuse in an intimate or family relationship, support is available.
Relationships Australia offers individual assistance and support for women who have experienced, or are experiencing, violence and/or abuse in their family or intimate relationships.
While reports indicate that women are more likely to experience violence and/or abuse in their family and intimate relationships, men may also experience violence and or abuse in their family and intimate relationships. Relationships Australia offers counselling and support services to any person experiencing family and intimate partner violence and/or abuse.
Support for Men
If you are a man who has used violence and/or abuse in your family or intimate relationships, support is available that invites you to take responsibility for your behaviour, and to find respectful and non-violent/non-abusive ways to relate to your partner and/or children.
Support for Children
Relationships Australia offers counselling and support services to children who have:
- been subjected to or witnessed violence within their parent's relationship
- been sexually abused within their family
Experienced, specialist staff work to help individuals, couples, children and whole families. Group sessions for women, men and children are available. Counsellors come from a variety of backgrounds and interpreters can be arranged.
To contact the Family Violence Prevention service nearest you, click on the link below:
Children's Contact Service
Some of our branches offer a specialised service for separated couples who are having difficulties negotiating contact for children with both parents.
Children's Contact Services provide safe and positive contact arrangements for children whose parents are separated.
It is widely recognised that ongoing contact with both parents after a family break-up is very important for the child's well-being and future development.
For many separated parents feelings such as anger, hostility and fear make it difficult to manage contact (access) arrangements. Sometimes contact between a child and his or her non-residential parent ceases altogether. This can lead to confusion, insecurity and trauma for the child caught in the middle.
The Children's Contact Service makes it possible for contact arrangements to take place with a minimum of stress both for children and their parents. It can also help with establishing a relationship between child/ren and parent when there has been a period of limited or no contact.
Find out more about the Children's Contact Service
